"Kemira's commitment to TEP is proof that well established R&D companies see the advantages of locating near or in the City of Atlanta in order to tap into the areas talent pool," Brannan Moss, vice president at Jones Lang La Salle, tells GlobeSt.com. "A further advantage was that TEP's building design incorporated many features that are advantageous to laboratory and R&D space."

According to the tenant, the space will serve as the company's primary North American research and development center. Kemira will consolidate its locations in the US into this one facility as part of its overall global strategy, according to a release. Significant investments into the build-out of the interior space will be made, says Moss, with a promise of the creation of 85 jobs. The center is expected to open in the summer of 2009.

"TEP's commitment to science and research, along with its state-of-the-art facilities, make it an ideal location for Kemira," Robert Metcalf, managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle, said in the release. "State and local economic development agencies played a vital role in attracting the company to Atlanta, and Kemira, Georgia Tech and the local community will benefit from a synergistic relationship for many years to come."