ATLANTA — Duracell has opened a new Global Innovation Center for Research and Development at Science Square in Midtown Atlanta.

The 83,000-square-foot facility is intended to help the battery maker move projects from concept to commercialization and accelerate technological advances.

Kirsti Brigman with the Metro Atlanta Chamber says access to talent from Georgia Tech and other area schools was a major factor in Duracell choosing the location.

“They want to be right next door to Georgia Tech, the PhD’s there, the incredible talent they have coming out of there at all levels, undergraduate, masters level,” Brigman said.

The new facility will employ 120 people.

“High skills, high-wage jobs, great opportunities for a lot of residents in the area for job growth,” Brigman said.

Duracell also has a manufacturing plant in LaGrange and a distribution center in Fairburn.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Graham Carroll contributed to this story.