The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

Murray State University's Innovative Renewable Energy & Small Business Programs

Posted on July 03, 2013 at 11:15 AM

The Delta Grassroots Caucus would like to convey information about the innovative programs of Murray State University’s Regional Business and Innovation Center in western Kentucky.

Murray State University has been a longstanding partner of the Delta regional movement for many years, and the director of the Regional Business and Innovation Center, Loretta Daniel, is a regular participant in Delta Grassroots Caucus activities.

Ms. Daniel will be one of our participants at the Oct. 17-18, 2013 Delta regional conference at the Memphis, Tennessee Agri-Center International.

This is in the spirit of giving credit where it is due and disseminating information about innovative activities that are going on across the region.

In this message we will cover:

1) Brief Summary of Murray State University’s Loretta Daniel’s Presentation at the Clinton Library Delta Conference on May 3, 2013

2) Overview of West Kentucky AgBioWorks

3) Murray State’s use of biomass technology to improve campus and community–Equine Center

4) West Kentucky AgBioworks Update, West Kentucky Bio-Energy Commercializiation Opportunity Report, and Collaboration with Memphis Bio-Works Foundation and other Regional Partners

5) Murray State University Regional Business and Innovation Center: Major Centers, Initiatives and Programs

6) Brief Summary of the Kentucky Innovation Network

CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information visit: kyinnovation.com or contact Loretta Daniel at 270-809-6071 or email her at ldaniel@murraystate.edu.

1. Brief Summary of Murray State University’s Loretta Daniel’s Presentation at the Clinton Library Delta Conference on May 3, 2013

In her remarks on May 3 at the Delta Grassroots Caucus conference at the Clinton Library, Loretta Daniel said it was wonderful to hear from President Bill Clinton and the great things he had to say about our region on the issues we are all so passionate about.

Ms. Daniel said that the center focuses on an area with a population under 500,000 and the largest city has only 31,000 people, so this is clearly a very rural area. She said Kentucky has a plan to expand clean, reliable, affordable sources of energy, improve energy security, reduce carbon emissions and enhance economic efficiency. She emphasized that Murray State University takes a regional approach to energy policy, and the center’s main initiative is Western Kentucky AgBioworks, which works with partners in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, as well as more informal ties with partners in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.

The regional approach is logical because the Delta states have common issues, topography, infrastructure with the Mississippi River, interstate and rail, and great potential in the field of biomass, and many beneficial programs should be replicated across the region.

In comments that clearly resonate with the Delta Grassroots Caucus partners, Ms. Daniel said that cooperation and not competition is what is needed in the region. She said this program began with a thorough assessment of strengths and weaknesses in the Delta in this field, and the study concluded that the primary renewable energy asset in the Mid-South Delta region is biomass, in which we have many strategic advantages.

She emphasized that the center and its partners see biomass being used not just for fuel but also for chemicals and products. One example is that Toyota is using kenaf for dash panels and Ford is also using kenaf in its products. She said that wood waste biomass is another promising source of renewable energy that the center is working to find ways to expand.

Educating the public about these issues is one of the major areas where Murray State works. The demonstration center at the MSU research farm demonstrates using new technologies throughout the entire supply chain from growing and harvesting to processing and using them.

This summer the center collaborated with Memphis BioWorks Foundation and other partners in converting sweet sorghum into ethanol. New technology to use equine waste to provide heat is being conducted at the university’s Equine Center (more detail on this project is below in this message).

Through their network of farmers, the center is promoting the growth of biomass sorghum, switch grass and other renewable energy, and this summer they will be adding kenaf to that list. They have a business development plan, and every week receive contacts from companies who are looking to start up new projects or to move existing businesses to the Delta area to gain from our region’s strategic advantages in biomass.

Ms. Daniel said Murray State is looking at what’s new and different for our region’s economic future, not to displace traditional economic development, but to take major assets of the region and use them in different ways to expand economic opportunities for people who would like to live and pursue their careers in the Delta region.

Again in statements that Delta Caucus partners wholeheartedly agree with, she said that people need to stop trying to compete against each other and work together across state lines in such activities as applying for federal grants to bring more funding into the Delta.

We plan to have Murray State University participate again at the Oct. 17-18 Delta regional conference at the Memphis Tennessee Agri-Center International, along with Dr. Steve Bares of the Memphis BioWorks Foundation and other experts in the energy policy field.

2. Overview of West Kentucky AgBioWorks

West Kentucky AgBioworks initiative has received funding from the Governor’s Office of Ag Policy, local county Ag Development Boards and the Murray State University Office of Regional Stewardship and Outreach. West Kentucky AgBioworks is a cooperative venture between the West Kentucky Center for Emerging Technology (WRCET), MSU Regional Business Innovation Center (RBIC), School of Agriculture, College of Science Engineering and Technology, College of Business, the Regional Stewardship and Outreach Office, Memphis Bioworks Foundation and BioDimensions, Inc.

According to Loretta Daniel, Director of the Regional Business and Innovation Center at Murray State University, “Our purpose is to build infrastructure to achieve advances in high growth sectors, capitalizing and building our telecommunications, bio-agriculture and energy and environmental sciences strengths in the western region of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”

The West Kentucky AgBioworks initiative is designed to implement the results of a five-state, 98-county study conducted by the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice and led by the Memphis Bioworks Foundation. This study surveyed entities in western Kentucky, and concluded that there is significant opportunity and need to: develop biomass businesses; ensure that farmers and foresters have profitable opportunities; and should commercialize alternative sources of energy such as oilseeds, sugar crops, and other biomass crops and trees. The completed study is available for download at www.agbioworks.org

The West Kentucky AgBioworks initiative is focused on positioning West Kentucky as a leader in the bio-economy where the basic building blocks for industry and the raw materials for energy are derived from renewable plant/crop/feedstock’s (biomass) creating new jobs and helping to improve the quality of life in the region.

By leveraging the combined strengths of the university partners, Regional Business & Innovation Center, the Colleges of Business, Science, Engineering and Technology and the School of Agriculture, as well as the other partners in the region this initiative is uniquely aligned to provide resources necessary to assist in developing this new bio-economy in our region.

The bioeconomy is an emerging global sector that involves using renewable agricultural and forestry materials to replace petroleum in the development of biobased products, while increasing the availability of healthy-local food.

This new industry is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world and is projected to be a $125 billion global market within a few years. The Mississippi Delta region has productive farm land, ample supplies of biomass and excellent logistics that will help position the region to deploy technologies to convert plants into many useful biobased products. This transformation will promote rural development, provide new opportunities for farmers, increase biodiversity, decrease pollution, reduce our impact on global climate change and establish many new green jobs.

The WRCET is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization and also serves as the Innovation and Commercialization Center (ICC) which is part of a dynamic partnership that has been forged between academia, business, and government in the State of Kentucky. The ICC serves as a comprehensive business accelerator focused on helping Kentucky entrepreneurs perfect their business strategies to build successful technology businesses. The organization’s mission is to support applied research and development that will lead to new commercial ventures and high-tech growth in Kentucky.

The goal is to help find ways and means to propel Kentucky into a prominent area of leadership and growth in our emerging high-tech economy. The ICC is part of a statewide network funded and coordinated through the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development through the Department of Commercialization and Innovation (DCI) and administered under contract to DCI by the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation.

3. Murray State’s use of biomass technology to improve campus and community–Equine Center

Murray State’s Equine Center received $309,000 to install, test and operate a biomass heating system for the facility from the Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The biomass heating system will utilize renewable plant/crop feedstock — an agricultural crop that can be grown and used for energy or the waste from a crop — that will produce heat throughout the Equine Center from pipes connected to the walls of the facility. Some examples are energy beets, biomass sorghum, sorghum and switchgrass.

Loretta Daniel, director of the Regional Business and Innovation Center. said an example of a waste from a crop might be the corn stalk left after the harvest. “In the equine center we will be using horse manure that will be used in the bioburner unit to produce heat,” Daniel continues.

In addition to the new biomass heating system, a portable unit will be used as a demonstration tool to educate regional farmers, agricultural individuals and the community on understanding how biomass-to-energy works and how this technology will benefit their businesses.

This type of technology is safe for the environment, will provide students with a unique learning opportunity and improve the quality of life in western Kentucky.

Daniel said the new biomass heating system will impact the future of Murray State and influence western Kentucky, because this piece of the Bio-Energy Demonstration Center will provide farms and businesses with the ability to see how to utilize biomass for heat, specifically with equine waste, but with other biomass as well.

“People in the horse industry around the world are interested in our project and are going to be following our progress, so the impact of what we learn will not only benefit West Kentucky and the state, but possibly the world as well,” Daniel said. “West Kentucky AgBioworks strives to be a catalyst for the development of the opportunities in biomass.”

Launched in 2009, the West Kentucky AgBioworks Initiative consists of multiple partners on Murray State University’s campus including the RBIC, the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business, the Hutson School of Agriculture, the college of science, engineering and technology, and the regional outreach office, as well as outside agencies including the Purchase Area Development District and other local organizations.

The West Kentucky AgBioworks initiative anticipates the biomass heating system to be operational by the 2014 winter season.

For more information on the grant or biomass technology, contact Daniel at ldaniel@murraystate.edu.

4. West Kentucky AgBioworks Update, West Kentucky Bio-Energy Commercializiation Opportunity Report, and Collaboration with Memphis Bio-Works Foundation and other Regional Partners

CALLOWAY COUNTY, KY (7/13/12) – Murray State University hosted a meeting Thursday, July 12, to provide information on the activities of West Kentucky AgBioworks (WKABW) and to release the West Kentucky Bio-Energy Commercialization Opportunity Report.

Held in the Murray Room of the CFSB Center, the luncheon and program began with a welcome from MSU President Dr. Randy Dunn. Dunn announced West Kentucky AgBioworks as a key initiative under Murray State’s new “Innovation for Impact” strategic imperative.

Loretta Daniel, director of the Regional Business and Innovation Center at MSU, spoke about the WKABW Initiative, its partners and past accomplishments, and discussed the four goals of this initiative — formation of a regional farmer network, development of a Bio-Energy Demonstration Center at Murray State University, support of the commercialization of bio-energy businesses in western Kentucky and education of the region on biomass opportunities.

Dr. Steve Cobb, dean of the MSU college of science, engineering and technology, discussed future faculty and student research at the Bio-Energy Demonstration Center. Dr. Tim Todd, dean of the Bauernfeind College of Business, discussed the colleges’ role in continued business development support.

Dr. Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture, discussed the Farmer Network activities and Bio-Energy Demonstration Center. Twelve farmers have participated in growing and harvesting biomass crops in the region. The new Bio-Energy Demonstration Center has been established with two seasons of sugar-based biomass crops grown on the Murray State farms, partnering with Ceres and Betaseed Seed companies. A successful test of biomass to heat in an LEI Product bio-burner has been completed and this new technology will soon be installed at the demonstration center.

Other featured speakers included James Comer, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture; Tim Hughes, director of the Division of Biofuels in the Department for Energy Development and Independence; Roger Thomas, executive director, Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy; and Peter Nelson, co-founder of BioDimensions and director of new business development. Nelson presented the results of two research projects regarding the opportunities of Bio-Energy Commercialization for West Kentucky.

Additionally, Dr. Steven Bares from the Memphis Bioworks Foundation discussed the multi-state AgBioworks partnerships and presented funding to the West Kentucky AgBioworks Initiative. The program closed with a briefing from Ron Mayes of the West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation explaining the electric co-op’s support for the initiative. Daniel noted that this is the third year an event to report on the West Kentucky AgBioworks Initiative has been hosted. Last year the WKABW was launched with funding presented by Len Peters, secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet.

Daniels said that $160,666 in funding has been received to date and the program has applied for additional grants to continue the work. “We are actively pursuing other funds and opportunities,” she added. For more information on the West Kentucky AgBioworks Initiative, contact Daniel at (270) 809-6071 or e-mail her at ldaniel@murraystate.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

5. Murray State University Regional Business and Innovation Center : Major Centers, Initiatives and Programs

The Regional Business and Innovation Center (RBIC) at Murray State University works to build infrastructure to achieve advances in innovation and entrepreneurship with an emphasis in high growth sectors. Since we opened in 2002, the RBIC through its entrepreneurial programs assisted companies in creating over 520 new jobs. The average annual salary for technology jobs created was over $60,000 compared to the per capital personal income in Kentucky that was $34,263 for the first quarter of 2013. Companies assisted by the RBIC have a total employment of over 1,200 jobs.

Business Incubator at Murray State University provides physical space for companies, programs and services that support the creation and growth of companies and jobs in our region. The Business Incubator opened in January of 2006. All available space has been filled since the opening with both start-up companies and existing companies who are expanding. The incubator is a member of the National Business Incubation Association and the Director is a certified incubator manager.

Innovation and Commercialization Center (ICC) serves as a comprehensive business accelerator focused on helping Kentucky entrepreneurs perfect their business strategies to build successful technology businesses. This service is free of charge to Kentucky residents. The ICC is part of the Kentucky Innovation Network funded from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and managed by the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation.

West Kentucky AgBioworks

The West Kentucky AgBioworks® Initiative, based at the Regional Business and Innovation Center at Murray State University, is part of a regional, multi-state network focused on developing a bio-economy in western Kentucky in which the basic building blocks for industry and the raw materials for energy are derived from renewable plant/crop feed stocks (biomass).

The Professional Organization for Information and Network Technology (P.O.I.N.T.) was created to provide opportunities for individuals in these fields to network to share and learn from each other and to provide guest speakers to provide information on leading trends in technology.

Make It Kentucky is an advanced manufacturing assistance program that works to accelerate innovation in manufacturing. We will help Kentucky Manufacturers and entrepreneurs’ access and commercialize technology, improve processes for developing and commercializing new technology, helping develop strategic supplier relationships and decrease company costs of R&D by helping access funds.

Delta Region Microenterprise Development Alliance - State Coordinator is a regional entrepreneurship initiative developed by the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State. It was designed to work with the DRA and the Delta Leadership Network. The project is designed to help increase the training, technical assistance, and resources for micro-enterprise development in the entire region, especially that of disadvantaged micro-entrepreneurs and women.

Operation JumpStart is an award-winning, nationally-recognized entrepreneur training model that offers a 12-session, comprehensive course using the First Step FastTrac curriculum which was designed by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, MO.

West Kentucky Capital Program will provide access to funding at every stage of development for a company through the angel network, RBIC revolving loan, access to state and federal funding and relationships with state and national venture capital firms.

6. The Kentucky Innovation Network focuses on the development of innovation-driven, technology

based companies in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Innovation Network consists of thirteen offices staffed by experienced and educated business leaders who serve all 120 counties in Kentucky. Each office offers assistance and guidance to Kentucky companies in the following areas at no cost to your startup or small business:

  • Business development consultation
    • Business model consultation
    • Validation and Market assessment
    • Access to service providers
    • Assistance with growth strategy
    • Access to professional networks
    • Connections to potential suppliers/business partners
    • Access to funding resources and capital networks
    • Coaching throughout fundraising efforts

For more information visit: kyinnovation.com or contact Loretta Daniel at 270-809-6071 or email her at ldaniel@murraystate.edu.

Office Locations:

Ashland Bowling Green Covington Elizabethtown Lexington London Louisville Morehead Murray Owensboro Paducah Richmond Williamstown KSTC Headquarters: Lexington

A statewide network of experienced business mentors available to help you work through the ABDs (Assessment, Business development, and Capitalization) of business development at no cost to you.