MSU Bioeconomy Institute opens in western Michigan
|
Michigan State University took an important step forward in its mission to both advance knowledge and be an agent for regional economic development when the MSU Bioeconomy Institute officially opened in Holland, Mich., in mid-March. The 140,000-square-foot professional research and development facility, which includes fully equipped modern laboratories as well as “pilot production” space, was donated to Michigan State University by the former owner, Pfizer, Inc. The plan is to conduct MSU research, as well as provide educational and outreach programs, and to facilitate private sector research by start-up companies, early stage entrepreneurs, and embedded researchers from larger corporations. According to Vice President for Governmental Affairs Steve Webster, Pfizer’s generosity was a symbol of their commitment to the Holland community, where they had employed thousands of workers in producing pharmaceuticals in the 46-acre industrial site on Lake Macatawa. “Our mission to provide outreach and educational opportunities to the communities of western Michigan fit well with their desire to leave something of value when economic conditions forced them to close their operations there. This is a win-win for everyone.” Support from regional businesses The Holland community, recognizing the value of MSU’s presence in the area to foster economic development, moved decisively to support the plan more than a year ago. The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area raised $5.2 million for a community endowment fund, from which the interest income will support an MSU director of research at the facility. That individual is expected to be selected through a national search. The MSU Bioeconomy Institute is also supported by a $3.4 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. A portion of that grant supports Lakeshore Advantage, a Holland-area economic development organization, in managing an incubator at the MSU site. Lakeshore Advantage named Randy Olinger to the managerial role; he began work in March. According to Lakeshore Advantage President Randy Thelen, Olinger was the ideal choice to nurture new bio-businesses. “Over the last 25 years, Randy Olinger has served in both technical and managerial roles in several successful high-technology, small-businesses in the Lansing and Grand Rapids areas,” Thelen says. “He has a proven ability to help people move their ideas from the R&D lab into the commercial marketplace. "This facility offers businesses the comination of world class‘wet lab’ space along with industrial scale pilot production capacity," he adds. "The facility was specifically designed for commercialization." Biodiesel training and beyond Initially, the facility’s laboratory space is being used for MSU’s ongoing training in biodiesel production, a hands-on program in production techniques and safety concepts aimed primarily at displaced workers under a WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) grant. The one-day program has also been offered on the east side of the state at MSU’s Biorefinery Training Facility in Webberville, Mich., since 2007. The biodiesel fuel production training is part of a federal program designed to encourage regional collaboration among public and private entities to develop a more highly skilled workforce to foster economic development. “Beyond those training opportunities, MSU’s Bioeconomy Institute will give MSU researchers and their private-sector sponsors the opportunity to work side-by-side, rather than in the more distant relationships that are more typical of private-sector-sponsored university research,” says Paul M. Hunt, senior associate vice president for research and graduate studies who has been directing development of the facility. To further the services available at the site, the Ottawa County office of MSU Extension has two staff offices at the new institute, with the goal of providing additional opportunities for both outreach and new community programming, according to Ottawa County MSU Extension Director Adam Kantrovich. “Due to Ottawa County’s agricultural base and current economic challenges, the importance of biobased technology is gaining more attention here. Agriculture already plays a significant economic role in Allegan and Ottawa counties (first and second agricultural counties in the state, respectively) and so this will add to our alrady successfu programminng in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, nutrient management, land use,and renewabe energy. This facility will give us the ability to expand regional programming and research by providing community and economic development through the bioeconomy. We see our new office location as a way of connecting the rgion with important new biotechnology drivers in a very meaningful way." Plans are also under way to offer conference room space for community and business organizations’ meetings and to open the auditorium for “MSU movie nights” and other cultural and educational events. |
New Holland facility offers outstanding research capabilities The MSU Bioeconomy Institute in Holland, Mich., occupies the only structure still remaining at the former Pfizer site. Originally constructed in 1964, the building was used as a research and development facility, with a fully outfitted pilot plant. It has undergone three major expansions and renovations. The two‐story building now features
More about the |
