Projections call for the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville to eventually employ 900.

   Alabama is not usually mentioned in the same breath as the country's leading biotech centers, but more than 80 biotech-related firms have some type of operation in the state. The University Alabama at Birmingham is a major research center and several other universities are involved in research efforts.
   A new project in Huntsville figures to sharpen the state's biotech profile. The Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology (HAIB) broke ground in January 2006 on a four-story, 260,000-sq.-ft. (24,154-sq.-m.) building due for completion in mid-2007. It will contain labs for biotech R&D in genetics and personalized medicine. The project is a $130-million investment with the state committing $50 million. HAIB president Jim Hudson says the Institute will eventually create 900 jobs. Several local startups have committed to lease space. Operon Biotechnologies has moved its headquarters to Huntsville from Maryland and will have a facility on the HAIB campus.