Gov. Phil Murphy says that New Brunswick could soon become the “innovation hub” of the Garden State.

Murphy announced Monday that the state is getting behind a 12-acre development project aimed at attracting new technology and other jobs to New Jersey.

The governor met with officials from Rutgers University, local and state government, private businesses and others at the university. He says the New Brunswick project, called the Hub, could result in boosting efforts to invite technological and startup companies to New Jersey.

“This is not a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This is the first step in a long journey that will take a long time but it is a journey that will be worth it,” Murphy says.

Mayor Jim Cahill says that New Brunswick’s central location to both New York City and Philadelphia make it a prime location for the project. Cahill says that there is a 12-acre parcel of land downtown that is ready for the redevelopment.

“The hub offers access to a talent pool of science, technology, engineering and mathematical workers, twice the size of any labor market in the nation,” Cahill says.

It's not clear who exactly would fund the project but the governor says that there is broad support in the state and that he hopes the federal government would help finance the effort. Murphy did not estimate how much the project would cost.

Murphy says the project goes back at least five years but what's new is "the will" to pull it together.

The Economic Development Authority will oversee planning and study for the site.