I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> As we told you earlier, Governor Andy Beshear made the rounds in Northern Kentucky today.

One of his stops was at the one N KY Center, where the first international company cut the ribbon on its life science research space.

Our Emily Sisk was there in Covington, and she has this latest report.

>> Mitsui Chemical America has become the first international lab partner to to partner with LifeSci KY.

So right here, Kentucky scientists, engineers, technicians, and more will be working on some of the world's most cutting edge projects.

>> Covington leaders, joined by Governor Andy Beshear, cut the ribbon today at the one in KY Center, which is home to the state's only lab incubator called LifeSci KY.

The lab and the one in KY Center opened last fall after years of preparation and a $15 million investment from the Kentucky General Assembly, today marked the first international company to commit its products and research to the lab.

Covington Mayor Ron Washington explained what Mitsui Chemicals is known for.

>> Missouri chemicals is a global leader in advanced materials and specialty chemicals.

Their innovations touch industries around the world, from health care and vision care to automotive, manufacturing and advanced polymers.

In layman's terms, this is a company operating at the forefront of science, innovation and advanced manufacturing.

And they chose Covington.

>> The Japanese company will partner with Cincinnati Children's Hospital to conduct research using stem cells.

The goal is to test how cells react to different drugs and look for new medicinal opportunities.

>> We are committed to contributing our materials science capabilities, building strong collaborations and bringing new solutions to the global healthcare market.

>> Governor Beshear said.

Along with bringing in new jobs to the state, the partnership is another example of Kentucky's close connection with Japan.

>> We are number one per capita in the country and foreign direct investment from Japan.

>> And Mayor Washington said he hopes the booming life sciences industry will bring more attention to the city of Covington and Northern Kentucky.

>> Covington is well positioned to become the next great center of innovation, the kind of place people talk about in the same vein as Boston, Silicon Valley or Raleigh.

>> LifeSci KY Wise goal is to provide lab space and research equipment to companies like Mitsui Chemicals to help get experiments off the ground as