The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) at the University of Iowa was awarded a grant of just over $1 million through the Strategic Infrastructure Grant program to expand the existing biomanufacturing infrastructure in the state by doubling the pilot-scale fermentation capacity with the acquisition and installation of a second fermentor. The assets, technologies and infrastructure will be made available to industrial, governmental and academic partners to scale contracted bioprocessing services. The increased demand will support high quality jobs and bolster student training and exposure to the industry.

The Strategic Infrastructure Program supports projects that develop commonly utilized assets with the goal of providing a competitive advantage to one or more private sector entities or that create necessary physical infrastructure in the state, and such projects are not adequately provided by the public or private sectors. Award recommendations for these funds are made by an internal and external review committee and presented to the IEDA Board for approval.