UI Biomanufacturing lab commits $680 million, enhancing modern-day agriculture

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — On Monday in Champaign, University and state leaders took the next step in making Illinois a biomanufacturing leader.

Directors at the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFab) are announcing millions of dollars for their precision fermentation research impacting farms across the world.

Precision Fermentation is similar to making beer. Instead of yeast, scientists feed corn sugar to strains and produce polymers and textiles.

The multi-million dollar field is important in Central Illinois. With all of the farmland around us, leaders want to bring more money right into your backyard.

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“The biomanufacturing industry is expected to be valued at $200 billion dollars within the next 15 years,” Beth Conerty, the Integrated Biology Research Laboratory (IBRL) associate director said.

She wants her lab to be ready.

“At its core, iFab is leveraging precision fermentation to drive innovation and catalyze the biomanufacturing industry in Central Illinois,” Conerty added.

Covering corn and soy sugars is an important task in the Midwest.

“The region is uniquely resourced in leading our nation toward a brighter future in American agriculture,” Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-13) said.

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Right now, the lab is celebrating a big accomplishment. It was designated as one of 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs among 370 applicants.

Now, the lab is ready to keep making strides forward. To get there, iFab is working with 31 partners. They’ve committed $680 million, and have applied for $70 million more because of the designation.

Conerty said they’ve created proposals for seven shovel-ready projects.

“They represent a groundbreaking lab-to-line approach to technology commercialization,” she said.

With the money, iFab would be able to expand its space, have more student interns and grow educational programming. Those are all important things to enhance modern agriculture.

“The steps we need to take to ensure family farming and our state’s agricultural industries can continue to lead the country in production and innovation for years to come,” Budzinski said.

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In the meantime, iFab will wait to hear back about their multi-million dollar application, while remaining optimistic for the future. The group will hear back this summer.

Leaders in Piatt and Macon counties are excited about this push as well. They’re ready for this field to bring more jobs to the area. To get there, Josh Sapp, the Decatur Building and Trades Council President, said they have to train students and get them ready.

With more money, he said they’ll be able to hire an equity director. His group will also work with more high schoolers to prepare them for an apprenticeship.

“To make sure we are recruiting at a high level, and everyone interested in working in the construction and maintenance industry has an opportunity to be prepared for that career regardless of their background, what they look like, or what neighborhood they live in,” Sapp said.

They’ll also be able to expand current training. That means being able to buy newer equipment and offer more courses.

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