State and federal politicians joined University of Missouri officials Friday in Columbia to inaugurate the MU's new research park Discovery Ridge.

More than 110 acres of MU's South Farm property, located south of town off highway 63, is set to attract a variety of private research firms to do business.

US Senator Kit Bond says research done at the park has the potential to help people for many years to come.

"The exciting thing about it is that our children's future will be shaped by still unknown discoveries in life sciences, that will be taking place right here at the University of Missouri."

Columbia-based biotech company ABC Labs, which was started nearly 40 years ago by an MU professor, has already signed a contract to be the first firm to move into the park. © Copyright 2012, KBIA