WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies – has commended the announcement of a $745,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2018 Regional Innovation Strategies program competition awarded to Kansas State University to launch the Global Food Systems Economic Prosperity Accelerator.
“This grant will grow the knowledge-based food systems economy of Kansas, produce more university-industry partnerships and create jobs in the region,” said Sen Moran. “Through my chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, I’ve been a staunch supporter of EDA’s Regional Innovation Strategies program and have proposed increased resources for this program in our FY2019 appropriations bill. Additionally, I’ve advocated for this program in my bipartisan Startup Act, which would modernize and increase its annual authorization level. I extend my congratulations to all those working at K-State on securing this grant and my thanks for all their efforts to increase the sustainability of our global food supply, as well as the economic success of the Manhattan region. I look forward to continuing this important work in partnership with K-State and the community.”
“The EDA grant will enable K-State to continue to advance our research, education, and outreach in global food systems,” said Kansas State University Vice President for Research Dr. Peter K. Dorhout. “Our land-grant heritage and agriculture expertise makes K-State uniquely suited to address global food needs while engaging our key stakeholders and enabling economic growth for Kansas.”
The Regional Innovation Strategies program competition through EDA and the Department of Commerce awards grants that build regional capacity to translate innovations into jobs through proof-of-concept and commercialization assistance to innovators and entrepreneurs. With this $745,000 award, K-State will launch the Global Food Systems (GFS) Economic Prosperity Accelerator to grow the knowledge-based food systems economy of Kansas and address challenges impacting growing global food demand.
The Accelerator will focus on strategic capacity building, industry partnerships, business expansion and entrepreneurship to create knowledge-based jobs in the region, and ultimately, advance the productivity and economic growth of GFS sectors in Kansas. The project will engage with faculty, staff, students, and industry representatives to explore and establish mutually-beneficial partnerships and collaborative science advancement efforts. K-State anticipates that this project will establish over 400 university-industry partnerships, build or expand 48 companies in northeast Kansas, and create 700 jobs.