The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced Tuesday that Illinois has secured approximately $51 million in federal funding for the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub. This initiative leverages the state’s leading production of raw agricultural materials to develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based products. This funding from the EDA marks a significant milestone in advancing Illinois’ leadership in the precision fermentation and biomanufacturing industry, propelling economic growth, business development opportunities, and the creation of good-paying jobs.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that Illinois is leading the nation in biotechnology and biomanufacturing,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to this $51 million investment from our federal partners, the iFAB consortium will have the resources they need to expand their cutting-edge research and bring innovation and growth to Central Illinois for decades to come.”
The iFAB consortium, composed of leaders from higher education, economic development organizations, government, and industry, has secured over $680 million in cash match and strategic investments. This initiative will unite cutting-edge research and development, scalable infrastructure, and abundant feedstock production within a 51-mile radius, positioning Central Illinois as a preeminent destination for biomanufacturing. The precision fermentation industry is projected to reach $200 billion by 2040, with the potential to generate 1 million jobs by 2030.
“With today’s news, Illinois will remain a global leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing—especially in critical fields like food and agriculture—and will stimulate local economies, and improve food security for decades to come,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for their innovative CHIPS and Science Act, and for establishing the Tech Hubs program. I look forward to seeing all iFAB can achieve for future generations.”
“I’m so pleased iFAB is receiving this critical Tech Hub funding, unlocking innovation, investment, and job creation for years to come,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Illinois is already a hub of agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and technology, making our state ideally positioned for these Tech Hub awards. I was proud to help pass the CHIPS and Science Act, and I’m thrilled that with programs like iFAB we’re making it clear our state has the projects and innovation ready to harness the law’s new investments and help bring our state, nation, and world into the future.”
Senator Chapin Rose expressed his enthusiasm: “Super excited to learn that $51 million was dedicated to biomanufacturing in our state. This type of commitment is exactly in line with the U of I President Bob Easter’s forward-looking vision for what the Illinois Bioprocessing Research Lab could mean to Illinois. His vision was an ‘easy sell’ when he brought it to me a decade ago to champion finding the money to build it in the legislature’s capital program process. We have something right here in central Illinois that, truly, no one else, anywhere on the planet, can offer – and today’s $51 million grant proves it! My hats off to all those who made this happen, and here’s to many more to come!”
Program Objectives and Impact
The funding will be allocated to infrastructure development, industry partnerships, and more, ensuring that the iFAB Tech Hub catalyzes significant economic growth, attracts additional private investment, and establishes Illinois as a leader in precision fermentation. Specific projects include:
- Bioprocessing Expansion: A $40 million expansion of the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL), which will include a 1500-liter fermenter capacity upgrade. This expansion will enhance the lab’s capabilities in developing and scaling up biomanufacturing processes.
- Production Line Expansion: Companies like Primient and Synonym will receive funding to increase fermentation capacity, while ADM will use Phase 2 funding to upgrade their precision fermentation facility. This will solidify Decatur’s role as a key player in Central Illinois’ expanding biomanufacturing corridor.
- iFAB Tech Hub Management: The EDA grant will also support the management and operational needs of the iFAB Tech Hub, ensuring the smooth implementation and scaling of projects.
- Sector-Specific Training: iFAB will design and implement training programs across various skill levels for incumbent employees, out-of-school youth, and other underrepresented constituencies in the biomanufacturing workforce. This will ensure a steady supply of skilled workers to support the growing industry.
Broader Goals
The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (iFAB Tech Hub) seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more. By leveraging its regional assets in corn and soy feedstocks, food processing infrastructure, and research leadership, this Tech Hub will provide a domestic biomanufacturing testbed through the development and deployment of multi-use pilot and demonstration capacity and equipment for biomanufacturing innovators.
Precision fermentation is critical for the sustainable production of nutritional components that will feed the growing global population. The Tech Hub award for iFAB will have profound benefits for the nation’s food security, increase supply chain resilience, and boost Illinois’ decarbonization efforts and global competitiveness.
The funding will be allocated to infrastructure development, industry partnerships, and more, ensuring that the iFAB Tech Hub catalyzes significant economic growth, attracts additional private investment, and establishes Illinois as a leader in precision fermentation. Projects include a $40 million expansion of the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, production line expansions for Primient, Synonym, and ADM, and support for iFAB Tech Hub management.
Vice President Kamala Harris praised the initiative: “Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities.”
This strategic investment underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth across diverse regions of the United States, ensuring that technological advancements and economic opportunities are accessible to all.
