Expanding biotech education and workforce pathways in rural communities

The U.S. bioeconomy is driven by access to domestic feedstocks and our ability to successfully convert those feedstocks into the manufactured goods that we use every day. America’s heartland is a rich source of these feedstocks — including corn, soybeans, and sugar beets — that can be used by bioindustrial manufacturers to realize the promise of the bioeconomy.

Specifically, Nebraska has abundant natural resources and a strong, capable, resilient, workforce. Gov. Jim Pillen has said, “The biobased economy is gigantic for the future. It’s [Nebraska’s] Silicon Valley.”

While the U.S. tries to reach its full potential of this bioeconomy, many factors have fallen into place that could allow Nebraska to emerge as a leader, including political support, government and private sector funding and workforce development. Growing the bioeconomy is a state priority, and Lincoln-based Southeast Community College (SCC) is working to help meet the current and future demands of our state.

Click here to read the original article.