It's hoped the planned BioConnect Innovation Centre in Monaghan will help foster co-operation between local companies.
Tenders for the construction of the building have been published and it's expected building work will get underway in February.
Up to 125 jobs will be created once the first phase is operational.
The project is a collaboration between the County Council, Monaghan Mushrooms, Manor Farm, Lakeland Dairies and Bio-marine, with other food industry partners from across the region included.
BioConnect will allow local food producers to act as a consortium to problem solve, network and brainstorm in what's been described as a non-competitive environment.
It will also work with local institutes of education to give students an opportunity to work close to home in an innovative sector.
The centre was launched in late 2018 and planning permission was granted in September of this year.
BioConnect Chief Executive David Macauley says Brexit and Covid have shown companies they need to innovate:
