WESTBROOK, Maine (AP)   Veterinary technology company Idexx is ready to begin a major expansion in in Westbrook.

Officials broke ground Friday on a $62 million project that will add a multilevel, 135,000-square-foot (12,550-square-meter) expansion to the existing global headquarters.

The expansion will provide space for 600 more workers. It’s due to open late next year.

CEO Jonathan Ayers said it’s gratifying “to provide an expanding employee base right here in the State of Maine and help support out state economy.”

The firm has been based in Westbrook since 1991 and currently employs 7,000 people worldwide, including 2,500 in Westbrook.