Iowa on cusp of biochemicals expansion, if legislature provides incentive: Report
In Iowa, Cultivation Corridor and IowaBio released a new white paper, finding that “Iowa is better-positioned than many domestic competitors to capitalize on the next frontier of bioprocessing in the United States.” At least five potential bio-based chemical production projects were identified through an industry interview process as part of the report. Representatives of each project indicated a biorenewable chemical production tax credit would be fundamental to the ultimate location decision in or outside Iowa.
The report, titled “Biobased Chemicals: The Iowa Opportunity,” was released by Iowa’s Cultivation Corridor and the Iowa Biotechnology Association. The report details how statewide economic development incentives can address the unique needs of the budding industry and allow Iowa to emerge as a leader in biorenewable chemical investment and job creation in coming years. The findings of the report were released at a news conference at the Iowa State Capitol on Thursday.
Among the report’s findings:
• First generation biofuels have been important economic drivers for the state of Iowa. Ethanol production alone in Iowa accounts for • $2.23 billion per year in state GDP and supports more than 8,693 jobs.
• The U.S. market for chemicals is more than $250 billion per year
• More than 50,000 jobs in bio-based chemicals and materials are projected to be created in the United States by 2020.
• Using income tax data, the payback period on the $61.7 million the state invested in the ethanol industry was just two years.
“Iowa is very well-positioned to capitalize on the next frontier of bioprocessing in the United States, which will help our state economy grow, create jobs and position us as a worldwide leader,” said Brent Willett, Executive Director of the Cultivation Corridor. “We can and must capitalize on this opportunity, and we’ve got to work together to do so.”
“The opportunity exists to be even more of a leader in this space due to our ability to bring the right people to the table,” said Joe Hrdlicka, Executive Director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association. “To take the next step, we need support from our State Legislature in the form of a statewide economic development incentive tailored to address the unique needs of the burgeoning biorenewables industry.”
Category: Fuels
