The founder of a Black-owned ophthalmic lab and an urban health care real estate development firm have announced a partnership to build a design-build, state-of-the-art, fully automated eye care goods manufacturing facility in north Philadelphia.

Dr. Chelise Firmin, CEO of Tioga Diabetic Optical Laboratories, received a $3.8 million investment from TPP Capital Holdings to acquire the site. It also includes the design-build of the structure and green energy measures for the facility.

The 18,629 square-foot facility will include two eyewear production labs, examination rooms, an outpatient pediatric and adult diabetes centre, training rooms for medical professionals, an optical dispensary, and corporate offices.

Construction will begin in September, a statement reads.

The Tioga Diabetic Optical Laboratories will be located two blocks west of Temple University Hospital and Temple University Health Sciences Campus (TUHSC).

The five-storey building will stand in an SBA HubZone, Federal Qualified Opportunity and a BioLaunch 611+ Keystone Innovation Zone.

Upon completion, the project will create 34 jobs for people in the Nicetown—Tioga neighbourhood.