Increased job opportunities and higher median pay are among the highlights included in a newly released report on the economic impacts of the bioprocessing industry in Cedar Rapids.
For many years, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been known as the center of bioprocessing activity in the United States. Dozens of companies in the area produce products that include ethanol, grain-based food products, animal feeds, yeasts, processed foods and vegetable oil.
In 2015, a unique public-private partnership between Iowa State University and Cedar Rapids was established to understand and support further development of the bioprocessing and manufacturing industries in the eastern Iowa town. Together, the two entities strive to create a competitive advantage for bioprocessing companies.
Chad Hart, professor of economics and extension economist at Iowa State, said the partnership serves to connect the science being done at Iowa State to real life applications in Cedar Rapids. In turn, Cedar Rapids officials have access to experts at Iowa State who help guide the development of the city’s bioprocessing industry.
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