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iFAB awarded $51 million EDA Tech Hubs grant to propel Central Illinois as a biomanufacturing leader

July 2, 2024

The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub has been awarded approximately $51 million from the Tech Hubs Program through the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The iFAB consortium, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will receive a Phase 2 Implementation grant to position Central Illinois as a global leader in biomanufacturing and precision fermentation, supporting national security, economic growth, and job generation.

“Securing this grant is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our partners and the strategic importance of leveraging biology as a manufacturing technology of the future — we are thrilled to lead this charge in making Central Illinois the heart of biomanufacturing in the U.S. and beyond,” said Beth Conerty, iFAB regional innovation officer and associate director of business development at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at U. of I.

Authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the EDA designated 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs that qualified for a Phase 2 Implementation grant last October. Today the EDA unveiled that iFAB is one of 12 Tech Hub Designees selected for implementation funding.

“The Tech Hubs designation and Phase 2 funding is just the beginning — we are poised for continued growth and investment, with a strong focus on expanding our workforce, enhancing entrepreneurship, and further developing our technological capabilities,” said iFAB leader Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “The commitment and collaboration of our partners — from higher education and government agencies to industry leaders and startups — has been instrumental in reaching this point. Their expertise, resources, and innovative spirit are key to our strategy as we drive forward these pivotal initiatives. iFAB’s future is bright, and together, we are setting new standards for what can be achieved in biomanufacturing right here in Central Illinois.”

The EDA Phase 2 grant will fill gaps to support the wide spectrum of biomanufacturing businesses that are developing precision fermentation innovations to create zero-emission, high-value products from agricultural commodities. By harnessing microbes to transform local feedstocks — mainly corn and soybeans — into a variety of goods such as textiles, biofuels, food ingredients, and more, these efforts could revolutionize domestic manufacturing. The precision fermentation industry is projected to reach $200 billion by 2040, with the potential to generate one million jobs by 2030.

This funding announcement follows strategic discussions in Washington, D.C., where the importance of biomanufacturing for national security was emphasized, as well as Central Illinois’ unique capabilities to position itself as the epicenter for biomanufacturing in the U.S.

“Central Illinois is uniquely positioned to lead the way in biomanufacturing, leveraging an ecosystem of industry leaders, innovative startups, world-class R&D, scalable infrastructure, abundant feedstock production, and robust transportation networks,” said iFAB leader Nicole Bateman, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County. “This landmark investment in iFAB’s vision and infrastructure will allow the U.S. to rival Europe and China, who have been investing heavily in this space.”

Ultimately, the Phase II Implementation grant will strengthen iFAB’s ability to attract and support companies that join the growing biomanufacturing ecosystem in Champaign, Piatt, and Macon counties.

Bioprocessing expansion: The EDA grant will help realize a $40 million expansion of IBRL, which will include a 1500-liter fermenter capacity upgrade.

Production line expansion: Primient and Synonym will receive funding to achieve a fermentation capacity of 13,000 liters; ADM will use Phase 2 funding to upgrade their precision fermentation facility to 80,000 liters. This significant investment solidifies Decatur’s role as a key player in Central Illinois’ expanding biomanufacturing corridor.

iFAB Tech Hub Management: The EDA grant will support the iFAB Tech Hub’s management, formalizing leadership roles for Conerty, McCrory-McKay, and Bateman as well as Laura Appenzeller, U. of I. assistant vice chancellor for innovation and Research Park executive director, and Kim Kidwell, U. of I. associate chancellor for strategic partnerships and initiatives. Brian Jacobson, IBRL’s associate director of strategic operations, will serve as the program manager for infrastructure development. iFAB will hire additional staff to support these efforts.

iFAB is supported by the coalition Innovate Illinois, a strategic initiative led by Governor J.B. Pritzker and co-chaired by U. of I. Chancellor Robert J. Jones.

“Today’s EDA grant not only acknowledges but actively fuels our mission to establish Central Illinois as a pivotal biomanufacturing player on the global stage. With these new resources, we are equipped to accelerate our initiatives, ensuring that our region not only meets but sets the gold standard for biomanufacturing innovation,” Jones said. “This partnership exemplifies how the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can leverage its expertise and resources to fuel progress and prosperity right in our backyard.”

About iFAB
The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub is poised to become the global leader in precision fermentation and biomanufacturing — an industry expected to grow to $200 billion over the next 15 years. Leveraging biology as a manufacturing technology of the future, iFAB is uniquely uniting world-class R&D, industry leaders, innovative startups, scalable infrastructure, abundant feedstock production, unparalleled transportation networks, and strong relationships with corn and soybean suppliers within a 51-mile radius. This unique lab-to-line approach establishes the iFAB region (Champaign, Piatt, and Macon counties) as the preeminent destination for the biomanufacturing industry.

Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week Returns for Fifth Year

For Immediate Release
March 4, 2024

Contacts:
Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director
Champaign County EDC
carly@champaigncountyedc.org
217-649-2586

Laura Bleill, Director, External Engagement
University of Illinois Research Park
lwbleill@Illinois.edu
217-417-6671

Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week Returns for Fifth Year

CHAMPAIGN, IL – The annual Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week, presented by Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, University of Illinois Research Park, and Make It Champaign-Urbana, returns for its fifth celebration March 4-8. The weeklong celebration recognizes Champaign-Urbana’s robust AgTech ecosystem, including the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Parkland College, corporate innovation partners, startups, state-of-the-art facilities, student organizations, local ag companies, the Illinois AgTech Accelerator, iFAB Tech Hub, and more.

“It’s been another incredible year of accomplishments and growth, and we’re excited to celebrate those milestones this week,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director at Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “From the iFAB Tech Hub designation to the groundbreaking of new facilities, we’re excited to showcase why our community is the “epicenter” of AgTech.”

Participating AgTech Week organizations include Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, University of Illinois Research Park, GDM Seeds, Parkland College, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of ACES, Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL), Center for Digital Agriculture, and Office of Corporate Relations.

“Although AgTech innovation knows no season here in Champaign-Urbana, we are thrilled to present our version of March Madness,” said Laura Bleill, Director of External Engagement at the University of Illinois Research Park and chair of the AgTech Summit planning committee. “Our goal is to make AgTech more accessible, as we see more growth and traction in this sector across campus and community year after year.”

The schedule of events includes the following:

  • CU AgTech Week Happy Hour, sponsored by GDM
  • Tours of University of Illinois Research Park (UIRP) and the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL)
  • AgTech Summit & Showcase
  • Center for Digital Ag Conference – The Future of Digital Agriculture
  • Parkland College AgTech Showcase

Champaign-Urbana has long been a hub for technology as well as agriculture. In the past decade, those two paths have converged, paving the way for the community to become an epicenter for AgTech.

Community highlights from the last year include:

The full Champaign-Urbana AgTech Week schedule of events can be found online at https://www.champaigncountyedc.org/business-services/programs-services/cuagtechweek. Registration is required at many events, but all are free to attend.

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Press:

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Central Illinois named US Tech Hub for biomanufacturing by Biden-Harris administration

From the press release:

President Joe Biden announced Monday that the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub (iFAB) is among 31 designated Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) — recognizing Central Illinois as a globally competitive center for innovation and job creation in biomanufacturing.

Led by the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the iFAB consortium includes 30 partner organizations representing academic, industry, government, and nonprofit partners committed to catalyzing industry growth in Champaign, Piatt, and Macon counties.

“The iFAB designation leverages IBRL’s five years of operational success. Companies come here to prove their technologies, and our aim is for them to remain in the region and establish early manufacturing facilities to progress from ideation to commercialization,” said iFAB principal investigator Beth Conerty, the Associate Director of Business Development at IBRL, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and The Grainger College of Engineering.

The EDA Tech Hubs program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 with the goal to boost economic growth, spur job creation, and ensure U.S. national security.

The precision fermentation industry is projected to reach $11.8 billion by 2028, with the potential to generate one million jobs by 2030. The EDA’s Tech Hub designation elevates the reputation and confidence needed to attract more funding, resources, companies, and talent in this space to Central Illinois.

Precision fermentation is a growing area of biomanufacturing that can turn local feedstocks, mainly corn and soybeans, into a variety of goods — including textiles, biofuels, food ingredients, polymers, pigments, and more domestically. This sustainable, scalable, and biological manufacturing process relies on microbes to convert sugars into high-value products.

Beth Conerty, Carly McCrory-McKay, and Nicole Bateman (L-R) helped form the iFAB Tech Hub to spur economic growth and job creation in Central Illinois through biomanufacturing and precision fermentation.

“Our position as a regional leader in precision fermentation is solidified by this designation,” said iFAB partner Nicole Bateman, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County. “Receiving federal recognition unlocks opportunities for infrastructure development and business investment and attraction, which results in job creation. We have been partnering across the corridor informally for several years, and the momentum in the region will be enhanced by this formal designation.”

As a designated Tech Hub, iFAB has cleared the first phase of the Tech Hubs program and qualifies to apply for phase two funding of $45 million to $70 million. EDA anticipates that between five and 10 of the 31 Tech Hubs will receive phase two funding.

If successful, phase two funding would support several iFAB initiatives to expand the Central Illinois precision fermentation industry:

“This historic announcement is a result of our regional and statewide collaboration and will enhance business attraction to our region, expanding our ever-growing AgTech footprint,” said iFAB partner Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director of the Champaign County EDC. “We’re thrilled about this Tech Hub designation for our communities and will work with our partners to ensure that the iFAB AgTech Corridor—made up of Champaign, Macon, and Piatt counties—becomes the global leader and innovation center in biomanufacturing. This is a game changer for innovation and economic growth, and we’re proud to say that iFAB is a Tech Hub.”

iFAB’s Tech Hub designation is a return on investment by the State of Illinois. “IBRL was a strategic experiment that has shown proof of concept,” Conerty said. “We have been overwhelmed by the response for equipment, infrastructure, and expertise. We are now bursting at the seams with a waitlist for equipment and processes. With more support, we could be doing so much more.”

The consortium’s industry partners include ADM and Boston Bioprocess, who both have operations at Research Park, as well as Primient and Clarkson Grain Company.

iFAB is one of two designated Tech Hubs in Illinois; the second is the Chicago-based The Bloch Tech Hub that focuses on quantum technologies. Both coalitions are part of Innovate Illinois, a strategic initiative led by Governor JB Pritzker to establish Tech Hubs in the state.

“As one of America’s leading research universities, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign solves problems and helps to power our nation’s economy,” said U. of I. Chancellor Robert E. Jones. “These TechHub designations in Illinois unite our strengths with our academic, industrial, community, and government partners to imagine a bright future for communities across the region.”

Press:

Biden-Harris Administration Designates 31 Tech Hubs Across America

President Biden Highlights how his Bidenomics Agenda is Growing the Economy—Tech Hubs (VIDEO)

Gov. Pritzker, Sen. Duckworth, and Sen. Durbin Announce Two Illinois Programs Selected as U.S. EDA Tech Hubs

Central Illinois named US Tech Hub for biomanufacturing by Biden-Harris administration

Two Illinois programs selected as U.S. EDA Tech Hubs

Budzinski applauds Tech Hub Designation at University of Illinois

U of C, U of I in the running for millions from feds for advanced tech research

Central Illinois site among 31 chosen as ‘tech hub’ by Biden administration

Madeleine Wolske Named Director of Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
carly@champaigncountyedc.org
217-649-2586

Madeleine Wolske Named Director of Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC

CHAMPAIGN, IL, February 20, 2023 – The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is pleased to announce Madeleine Wolske as its new Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC. She begins the role today, February 20.

Wolske most recently served as the Business Librarian at Champaign Public Library, where she led business services, including providing direct assistance to small businesses and developing innovative programming. In addition to years of experience supporting small businesses, she also owns her own small business. Wolske earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

“We’re thrilled to have Madeleine join our team,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “Her extensive experience, innovative thinking, results-oriented leadership, and collaborative spirit will be valuable for our center and community. I’m confident she’ll be able to build, sustain, and expand partnerships.”

As the SBDC Director, Wolske is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the SBDC, including advisory services to clients, oversight of budget activities, required reporting, and supervision of the International Trade Center. Additionally, Wolske will represent the SBDC program at a local and regional level within the economic development and business communities and collaborate closely with stakeholders throughout Champaign County and central Illinois.

“With her expertise and passion for entrepreneurship, we are confident that Madeleine’s contributions will build upon the strong foundation of the Illinois SBDC at Champaign County EDC,” stated Ericka White, State Director of the Illinois SBDC Network. “Additionally, her breadth and extensive knowledge will strengthen the Illinois program as she collaborates with her peers throughout the state.”

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is part of the Illinois SBDC Network, one of the largest SBDC networks in the nation. Hosted by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and administered through DCEO’s Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology, the Illinois SBDC network provides information, confidential business guidance, training, and other resources for startups and existing small businesses. Services include one-on-one business advising, including business and marketing plan development, financial analysis and planning, access to market information and business financing programs, and business education and training opportunities.

“It’s a privilege to continue serving our business community at a greater capacity with the resources at SBDC,” stated Wolske. “I look forward to facilitating collaborative and inclusive opportunities for small business owners and actively working to reduce barriers within entrepreneurship. I’m excited to listen and connect with our small business community to better support their goals.”

Wolske can be reached at mw@cusbdc.org or 217-531-1991. Visit https://www.cusbdc.org/ to learn more about the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is located at 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign. SBDC meetings, available in person or virtually, are by appointment only. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is funded through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation; with additional support provided by EDC of Decatur and Macon County and the Midwest Inland Port.

About Champaign County Economic Development Corporation:

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is a public-private partnership dedicated to fostering a cooperative, county-wide approach to economic development. CCEDC works to improve the economic well-being of all Champaign County through efforts that entail job creation, job retention, tax base enhancements, small business development, and promotion of quality of life. CCEDC brings together community partners to support economic development by aligning interests through productive relationships, open dialogue, and advocacy efforts. Learn more at https://www.champaigncountyedc.org/.

 About Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Champaign County EDC:

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is the host organization to the SBDC, a program of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), which includes an International Trade Center (ITC). The SBDC provides information, confidential business guidance, training, programs, and other resources for startups, existing small businesses, and those who wish to start or sell a business. SBDC services are confidential and provided to hundreds of businesses annually at no cost. Learn more at https://www.cusbdc.org/.

 

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Starfire Industries Announces Expansion in Champaign, New Facility to Support Deep Technology Manufacturing and Research & Development

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2022

Starfire Industries Announces Expansion in Champaign, New Facility to Support Deep Technology Manufacturing and Research & Development

Starfire’s new 194,000 square foot facility will create 22 full-time deep tech jobs

CHAMPAIGN – May 20, 2022 – Today Starfire Industries, LLC announced an expansion to establish a new manufacturing facility in Champaign, Illinois, located at 3310 N. Duncan Road. The $9.4 million project accommodates growth to a 194,000 square foot facility to increase manufacturing and research & development capabilities. The project will create at least 22 full time-jobs and retain 20 full-time jobs, as well as support 12 engineering co-op and part-time professional jobs.

“Technology investments over the past 12 years in compact particle accelerators and high-power plasma sources have resulted in game-changing innovations”, says Starfire President/CEO Brian Jurczyk. “Our team is making significant impacts across the semiconductor, nuclear, aerospace, medical, environmental, energy, mining, automotive, and security industries. Starfire reached the point where it needed to scale; finding the right location for expansion was critical. The former Patterson building is a unique space with a combination of office, engineering, manufacturing, and distribution that will support Starfire’s growth for years to come. We are excited to make this place our home and stay within the robust Champaign-Urbana deep technology ecosystem.”

Starfire Industries, recently named one of the top-10 worldwide non-destructive testing companies by Manufacturing Outlook Magazine, specializes in portable high-energy particle accelerators for diagnostic imaging, environmental sensing, active interrogation, and even oncology therapeutic treatments. This is accomplished using a process that combines physics, math, chemistry, and biology to create a strategy for inspecting, examining, and testing materials for flaws, defects, and more. Starfire’s patented Centurion® system is being used for the rapid detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater and soil samples and quantification at the ppt level to meet stringent EPA and EU standards. Starfire is a multi-disciplinary deep technology company leveraging technical depth in many fields. The team consists of several PhDs in nuclear, plasma, radiological and electrical engineering, as well as engineers from electrical, mechanical, aerospace and material science.

Starfire’s patented IMPULSE® product has revolutionized thin-film coatings by providing precision engineering of materials at the atomic scale. Their technology is used in the manufacture of photovoltaic, superconductor, fuel cell and battery storage systems—as well as coatings on full-length nuclear fuel rods to increase strength, corrosion resistance and accident tolerance under an SBIR project with the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy and Westinghouse.

“The new facility will give us the space for a pilot in-line production system to process the long and difficult to handle nuclear fuel cladding”, says Starfire VP/CTO Robert Stubbers. “The combination of engineering, processing, QA/QC testing and distribution space is advantageous.”

Starfire develops solutions to solve challenging problems, moving ideas from the whiteboard to production. They work with a variety of federal and international organizations on innovative research & development and with a broad spectrum of global companies on products and services to meet their demanding applications.

“Starfire Industries is truly a homegrown success story, and one we’re proud to celebrate,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “This story is a testament to what’s possible in Champaign County and the state of Illinois. Under Brian’s leadership, the company has grown from a startup to a large-scale manufacturing facility. We’re grateful for their continued investment in our community and we look forward to supporting their growth.”

“We are so delighted that the Starfire team chose to stay in Champaign and continue to grow their company where it began,” stated City of Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen.

Since graduating from the EnterpriseWorks startup incubator at University of Illinois Research Park in 2009, Starfire Industries has grown from concept research & development to manufacturing plasma sources, neutron generators and high-voltage power supplies for a range of industries. They will soon move from their existing Champaign location, a 14,000 square foot facility in University of Illinois Research Park, to an impressive 194,000 square foot technology center. The 3310 N. Duncan Road expansion will enable greater on-site collaborative partnerships, direct services to end-users under strategic supplier agreements, manufacturing and global distribution.

“Starfire is a stellar example of the deep tech innovation that emerges from scientists at the University of Illinois and that remains in Champaign County for the tech and engineering talent needed to fuel its continued growth,” said Laura Appenzeller, UI Research Park Executive Director. “We are so grateful to have launched their small business at the Research Park and thank the founders for their perseverance, innovation, and dedication to their employees.”

The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2023.

About Starfire Industries, LLC:

Founded by Brian Jurczyk, PhD MBA, and Robert Stubbers, PhD, Starfire Industries LLC is a “deep technology” company focused on nuclear and plasma technologies for demanding applications. Starfire produces the nGen® and Centurion® ultra-compact particle accelerators used for medical therapy, environmental sensing, nuclear security, and non-destructive imaging.  Starfire produces the IMPULSE® and RADION™ pulsed power plasma sources and systems used for nuclear fuel fabrication, superconductor coatings, semiconductor EUV lithography, lightweight electric vehicle assembly, high-temperature aerospace materials, and thin-film deposition and etching applications.

Their industry-changing solutions are designed, manufactured, and delivered from their headquarters in Champaign, Illinois to end-users across six continents and Earth orbit. Learn more at https://www.starfireindustries.com/.

 

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Press:

Growing Champaign tech company moving to larger building, The News-Gazette

Starfire Industries announces expansion in Champaign, WCIA 3 News

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