News Releases for May 2006
May 30, 2006
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Hoeven Presents $2 Million To NDSU Center Of Excellence For Agbiotechnology: Oilseed Development
Governor Calls On North Dakotans To Observe A Moment Of Remembrance
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today presented a $2 million check to North Dakota State University (NDSU) for its Center of Excellence for Agbiotechnology: Oilseed Development. The funding will leverage nearly $11 million in private sector investment in the project.
The Agbiotechnology Center will make available conventional and/or deregulated biotechnology lines of soybeans and canola with unique oilseed traits that have potential as biofuels, specialty lubricants and health care products. The Center will develop these lines for their use in biodiesel and special oils, conduct marketing, and new product strategies. Private sector partners in the venture include Monsanto Corporation, Dakota Skies Biodiesel Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Company.
"Value added agriculture and energy are both industries that we are aggressively developing in North Dakota," Hoeven said. "This new center will combine the innovation of NDSU and the productivity of North Dakota farmers to help supply our countries future energy needs."
Joining Hoeven were NDSU President Dr. Joe Chapman; Dr. D.C. Coston, NDSU vice-president for agriculture and university extension; Mark Nisbet, chairman of the Centers of Excellence Commission; Eric Mack, of Archer Daniels Midland Company; and Jim Johnson of Monsanto Corporation.
"Centers of Excellence are partnerships of higher education, researchers, the private sector and economic development efforts," Chapman said. "The Center of Excellence for AgBiotechnology will prove to be a vital tool as we work toward a better future for all North Dakotans."
The NDSU Center of Excellence for Agbiotechnology: Oilseed Development was funded in the second round of Centers of Excellence grants in 2006. To date, 11 projects have received $20 million in grants through the program. These projects have already leveraged more than $70 million in additional funding.
Centers of Excellence are hubs of research and development on the campuses of the North Dakota University System around which related businesses expand and dynamic new businesses cluster. The Governor's initiative provides up to $50 million for Centers of Excellence. The dollars will be leveraged with private and federal matching funds to generate a total investment in new jobs and businesses of more than $150 million.
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