“The technology behind the bio-products industry is continuously developing new uses for raw ag materials,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee.  “This creates a great opportunity for the value of Montana ag products to soar as they are needed for alternative fuels, household products, and other uses.  The partnership between MMEC and local businesses will be critical to advancing this industry throughout Montana.”

The goal of this program is to provide expertise to companies and start-ups in Montana that are trying to commercialize new uses for bio-products.  Bio-products use farm, ranch and forest products as raw material breaking them down into base chemicals which can then potentially be used in a variety of goods including alternative fuels, lubricants, pharmaceutical, nutriceuticals, and waxes. Currently, farm products and natural resources in Montana are being sent elsewhere for value-added processing.

"The powerful and exciting thing about developing value-added bio-based products here is that they play on Montana’s inherent rural strengths, and the facilities can be small and scaled to fit the local community,” said MMEC Director Steve Holland. “Bio-products manufacturing near the source of raw materials reduces transportation costs and represents a large, clean and sustainable economic development opportunity for Montana’s agricultural and small manufacturing sectors.  The additional funding will help us focus more expertise in bio-product manufacturing across the entire state and yield a higher level of success for bio-products companies and Montana."

 “Providing entrepreneurs in the bio-products industry with the assistance they need to get on their feet is good for our economy,” said Rehberg.  “Increasing the consumer appeal of Montana’s agricultural commodities through new and expanded markets will put more money into the pocket of Montana farmers.”