Construction Of New 3M Research Facility Under Way

MAPLEWOOD, (AP) - 3M is building a $150 million research and development facility at its Maplewood campus.

The 400,000-square-foot building will eventually house 700 scientists and researchers working on three of 3M's five businesses - electrical and energy, safety and graphics and industrial.

3M has invested heavily in research centers around the worldwide, but company executives insist the United States remains the company's innovation hub. 3M spent $1.6 billion in global research last year. It provides about 12 percent of Maplewood's entire tax base.