Community Leaders Laud Partnership Statewide Outreach Programs

Over the last six months, the Partnership has been working with interested organizations around the state to host events geared toward helping to advance the bioscience industry at a statewide level. The bioscience conferences kicked off in February in St. Cloud. The Partnership, along with the Science Initiative of Central Minnesota and the BioBusiness Alliance co-hosted the Central Minnesota Bioscience Conference. Additional bioscience events were held in Worthington in March, co-hosted by the Worthington Regional Economic Development Commission, and in Bemidji in April, co-hosted by a number of local organizations including Bemidji BIO and the Joint Economic Development Commission of Beltrami County.

The events provided a forum for community leaders and citizens from all sectors – business, health, industrial, agricultural, higher education and government – to learn more about the value of the industry and to identify resources and opportunities for developing bioscience in Minnesota. The conferences included presentations and panel discussions by hosting organizations and representatives from area business, education and civic organizations involved in advancing biosciences.

The conferences generated good attendance from area leaders and demonstrated clear enthusiasm and interest in the biosciences in many areas of the state. The Partnership received positive feedback about the events and encouraging news about their impact on future efforts in these communities.

“While Minnesota’s position in biosciences is strong, the competition is fierce, so engaging all of the state is an important part of capitalizing on Minnesota’s position. Engaging community leaders throughout the state provides individual communities with information and networking opportunities for supporting bioscience development” notes Mark Paller, Ph.D., principal coordinator for the Partnership from the University of Minnesota.