BRDC Receives Federal Funds for Tech Commercialization

It is no accident that CNN Money and Fortune Small Business ranked the Peoria area as the fifth best midsized city to launch a small business. A key reason for this is Peoria NEXT, a consortium of companies and institutions working to create economic development from research and development in the region. The Biotechnology Research and Development Center (BRDC) is an important part of the Peoria NEXT team driving this region forward.

BRDC recently received a $3.5 million federal appropriation to help turn agricultural research science into commercial products and jobs. One of the most difficult tasks in creating successful technology companies is crossing the well-known “Death Valley” between the lab and marketplace. BRDC was created to bridge this gap by funding late stage research leading to commercialization.

Dr. J. Grant Brewen, BRDC President and CEO says "We owe a special thank you to Congressman Aaron Schock and Senator Richard Durbin for securing this funding. Congressman Schock knows how vital BRDC is to this region and to our nation's farmers. His office continues to work hand in hand with us so that BRDC can continue to support cooperative research and create jobs in our region. Senator Durbin played a key role in the creation of BRDC twenty-one years ago and he continues to be a great champion for BRDC's efforts throughout his tenure in both the House and Senate."

BRDC was a founding member of Peoria NEXT and has been active in this region for over 20 years. Kyle Ham, President and CEO of Peoria NEXT says “BRDC has funded research programs that have helped numerous local companies get their start. Two companies located in the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center incubator are currently receiving support from BRDC.  One is zuChem, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals for food and pharmaceutical uses and the other is BioFuels Manufacturers of Illinois. BRDC is funding research on a new energy crop called Pennycress. This crop has exceptional value in providing new sources of income to farmers while yielding more than twice the oil of soybeans for producing biodiesel fuel.”

BRDC is located in Peoria, Illinois and funds research programs in the areas of animal healthcare, plant sciences, and materials science.