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This story was corrected on Sept. 7, 2010. An explanation follows the story.

High heat and humidity did not stop hundreds of people, including high-profile politicians, from celebrating the groundbreaking of the National Cancer Institute's satellite campus on the grounds of Johns Hopkins University's Rockville campus this afternoon.

Designed by international architectural firm HOK and developed by JBG Companies of Chevy Chase, the future 575,000-square-foot National Cancer Institute Shady Grove will cost JBG $200 million to build and will boast twin seven-story buildings, retail, a parking garage and a transit stop on the proposed north-south Corridor Cities Transitway route.

JBG will lease the office complex to the National Cancer Institute, but refused to say how much the National Cancer Institute would pay to lease the property.

Part of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, the Shady Grove campus will have environmentally friendly features and seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

"This is part of the long-term plan to boost the biotech sector," Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said.

Speaking at the ceremony along with Leggett were Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), U.S. Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8), U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Dist. 4), Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen (D-At-large), National Cancer Institute Director Harold Varmus and Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels.

"Montgomery County is the center of technology and advancement for our state," Edwards said.

Armed with red National Cancer Institute hard hats and gold-colored shovels, the speakers performed a ceremonial dig to signify the start of construction.

Aside from the scientific and technological benefits, National Cancer Institute Shady Grove will indirectly generate an estimated 2,400 jobs and give a boost to the area's emerging biotech industry, O'Malley said.

"It's about the three H's – hiring, healing and hope," O'Malley said. "This is a very important piece of evidence that Maryland is getting out of the recession."

The National Cancer Institute conducts cancer research, training and coordinates the National Cancer Program.

Approximately 2,100 National Cancer Institute employees are expected to relocate to the new campus following construction, which is estimated to be completed by early 2013.

The original version said the facility would cost $200 million of federal money.The facility is being funded by JBG Companies of Chevy Chase.