The resulting document from the stakeholder meetings is the roadmap, which guides the South Central Center and regional Land Grant Universities’ work in developing biobased products, creating energy self-sufficiency, preserving the environment and investing in rural economies. The roadmap also identifies the assets and challenges faced by the region. Stakeholders recognize the South Central region’s many strengths in becoming a leader in the biobased economy of the future.

 

Among the assets identified include:

 

• Abundance of land, infrastructure and human capital,
• Excellent biomass production capacity, some of which is underutilized,
• Opportunity for production of many types of biomass,
• Feedstock sources from co-/by-products from animal production and processing,
• Outstanding industrial sector to commercialize products and
• Rural communities desire to diversify the economy while preserving the agricultural base.

In addition to the aforementioned community assets, the South Central Region’s member universities also possess a tradition of collaboration within the region, across the U.S. and around the world partnering with other educational institutions, government agencies, and agriculture/ business/industry. This multi-disciplinary approach to and expertise in biofuels research is paramount to the Region’s success.

 

View the South Central Sun Grant Program Regional Roadmap Report (PDF)