Nebraska's advantages in agriculture and resources are turning heads in the bio-manufacturing industry. At a recent summit, it became clear that the state offers a unique blend of attributes that can make it central to this emerging sector.
Business leaders and Gov. Jim Pillen highlighted Nebraska's strengths, including its loyal workforce, competitive tax incentives, affordable utilities, and nearby raw materials like corn and ethanol. Nebraska boasts a straightforward governance structure where decision-makers are easy to reach.
Companies are recognizing the potential. For example, Evonik’s facility in Blair, managed by Paul Caldwell, harnesses omega-3 fatty acids from marine algae for animal nutrition.
Echoing this sentiment, Gov. Pillen declared that Nebraska is at the heart of the new bio-economy. The goal is to utilize Nebraska's low-carbon footprint agricultural products locally and maximize their value.
Data from trade group Bio Nebraska reveals that the state already supports around 18,000 bio-manufacturing jobs. And these aren’t just any jobs, they pay significantly more than the state's average wage. However, there's a pressing challenge while finding enough workers. Not just high-skilled researchers, but also shift workers.
To address this, there's a call for better training programs and initiatives to educate young Nebraskans about these lucrative local career opportunities. Gov. Pillen emphasized the importance of retaining talent, noting that workforce challenges span multiple industries in the state.
Billy Hagstrom of Bluestem Biosciences shared insights on the shift towards sustainable products, highlighting the demand for low-carbon solutions. His firm, alongside others like Viridis Chemical of Columbus, are producing sustainable products ranging from chemicals for cosmetics to paint.
Nebraska's assets and potential make it a leading player in bio-manufacturing, transitioning from oil-based to sustainable resources like corn, as companies worldwide prioritize reducing carbon footprints.
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Categories: Nebraska, Business