Why is the AgWorks Corridor a competitive location for industrial biotechnology companies?

What is industrial biotechnology, and why does it matter?

How do agricultural feedstocks support industrial biotechnology?

Why is the AgWorks Corridor an ideal place for industrial biotechnology companies?

How does the AgWorks Corridor develop talent for industrial biotechnology?

How does research accelerate industrial biotechnology innovation?

How do universities and technical colleges support industrial biotechnology?

Industrial Bio

Including the use of biological processes to convert agricultural inputs into fuels, chemicals, and materials.

How does research accelerate industrial biotechnology innovation?

Why is collaboration important in the industrial bioeconomy?

How does the AgWorks Corridor help industrial biotechnology companies scale?

Why is collaboration important in the industrial bioeconomy?

Ecosystem Overview

Industrial Bio is where agriculture, bioscience, and advanced manufacturing converge—using biological processes to convert agricultural inputs into renewable fuels, specialty chemicals, bio-based materials, and engineered products. Supported by abundant feedstocks, specialized talent in fermentation and bioprocessing, established logistics infrastructure, and a supply chain where 41% of purchasing relationships are already established in-region, the AgWorks Corridor provides companies with a rare concentration of resources needed to scale innovation. Combined with research assets, commercialization resources, and industrial manufacturing capabilities, the region creates an environment where companies can move technologies from concept to commercial production faster and with less risk. 

A man wearing a Cargill uniform, safety glasses, a yellow hard hat, and gloves standing on an industrial walkway with piping and machinery in the background.

Photo Credits: Cargill

“In 2022, when we founded Bluestem in Omaha, few recognized the strategic advantage of our headquarters' location. As a technology company serving the agriculture industry, our location connects us intimately with our stakeholders and the rural communities we partner with and serve. Our entire business model is built on this partnership, and Omaha's position in the heart of American agriculture made locating our headquarters here an easy decision.”

Billy Hagstrom

CEO & Co-Founder

Bluestem

A man with medium-length brown hair wearing a dark blazer and a white collared shirt.
A man with medium-length brown hair wearing a dark blazer and a white collared shirt.

Photo Credits: The Org

Aerial view of a cement manufacturing plant with silos, industrial equipment, and train tracks.

Workforce

Industrial biotechnology sits at the intersection of agricultural feedstocks, bioscience research, and commercial-scale production, giving companies access to a specialized workforce experienced in fermentation, bioprocessing, and chemical manufacturing processes. The region’s concentration of technical talent and production expertise supports innovation, scale-up and commercialization across the industrial bioeconomy.

6,000+ specialized workers across a full spectrum of bioprocessing, fermentation, and chemical, including fertilizer, production and distribution sectors.

48,000+ workers in occupations relevant to industrial biotechnology.

64% more concentration than the U.S. average, demonstrating an established workforce ecosystem built around bioscience, industrial production, and feedstock driven industries.

180+ employers creating a broad industrial ecosystem with workforce mobility, supplier connections, and technical talent availability.

Jobs increased by 12% since 2019, reflecting continued expansion across bioscience, chemical manufacturing, and bio-based production industries.

$39.6k below national average, earnings per job

Key Employers

Cargill logo with black text and a green curved line above the letter 'a'.
A stylized logo featuring a purple and blue 3D spiral sphere and the word 'Corbion' in black text.
Green Plains logo with stylized green fields, a blue sky, and a yellow sun, alongside the text 'Green Plains' in green.
NatureWorks logo with stylized leaf symbol in a circular design and the company name in blue text.
Logo of ADM with green leaf and blue text
Evonik logo in purple with the slogan "Leading Beyond Chemistry" underneath.

Talent Development

A connected talent and innovation ecosystem is helping grow the region’s industrial biotechnology workforce, with education, training, and research programs aligned to the needs of biomanufacturing, fermentation, bio-based chemicals, and bioscience companies. From K–12 career pathways to specialized university research and technical training, the region is developing talent that supports laboratory, pilot-scale, and commercial production environments.

A scientist in a lab coat working with laboratory equipment on a black countertop, with shelves above holding glassware and supplies.

Photo Credits: Lab Amenities & Equipment | Biotech Connector

Early Talent Pipelines

Outline drawing of a graduation cap.

Early exposure to bioscience, engineering and manufacturing careers.

An outline of a microscope against a black background.

K-12 systems aligned with industrial biotechnology workforce needs.

Black open book with pages extending outward, set against a dark background.

Dual-credit programs earn high school and college credit.

Icon of a person on a document or report, with lines representing text, on a dark background.

Developing technical and workplace skills for lab and production environments.

Research Universities Driving Innovation

University of Nebraska - Lincoln | University of Nebraska - Omaha | University of Nebraska Medical Center

Key Programs

  • Biochemistry

  • Environmental Science

  • Food Science & Technology

  • Microbiology

  • Integrated Science

  • Molecular and Biomedical Biology

  • Bioinformatics

  • Biological Systems Engineering

A stylized map of Nebraska with the city of Omaha highlighted in red.
University of Nebraska Lincoln logo with a large red N and the name underneath
UNMC logo with a maroon shield containing a white 'N' and the words 'UNMC' and 'Breakthroughs for Life'

Workforce-ready Technical Talent

Metropolitan Community College | Southeast Community College | Iowa Western Community College

Key Programs

  • Biotechnology

  • Electrical/Electromechanical

  • Manufacturing Engineering

  • Precision Machining

Southeast Community College logo with a stylized blue 'S' and the college name in blue and black text.
Logo with blue and black text.
Logo of Metropolitan Community College with a design of blue triangles forming a larger pattern.

Connected Industry Network

An integrated research, testing, scale-up and commercialization ecosystem helping industrial bio companies move innovations from concept to commercial production faster and with less risk.

Applied Research & Commercialization Infrastructure

Biotech Connector | Nebraska Innovation Campus

The Biotech Connector is a public-private partnership designed to support biotech innovation, commercialization, and company growth. Located within the Food Innovation Center at the Nebraska Innovation Campus, it provides more than 7,700 SF of flexible wet-lab space, shared equipment, and research infrastructure for startups and established companies. Flexible space options range from shared bench space to dedicated laboratories, helping companies accelerate research, product development, and scale-up activities.

Two scientists in white coats working in a modern laboratory with wooden cabinets, black countertops, and exposed ceiling pipes and ducts.

Photo Credits: Nebraska Innovation Campus

Industry Leadership & Ecosystem Development

Renewable Fuels Nebraska | Lincoln, Nebraska

Renewable Fuels Nebraska connects producers, industry leaders, and policy makers to strengthen and expand Nebraska’s renewable fuels ecosystem. Through advocacy, education, and industry collaboration, the organization helps support market growth, policy advancement, and long-term competitiveness across the bioeconomy.

Bio Nebraska | Omaha, Nebraska

Bio Nebraska serves as a connector across Nebraska's bioscience and bioeconomy ecosystem, linking companies with research institutions, industry partners, workforce resources, and commercialization opportunities. By supporting collaboration, advocacy, and industry growth, Bio Nebraska helps strengthen the ecosystem needed to scale industrial biotechnology and bio-based innovation.

A scientist working in a laboratory, handling glass bottles and equipment on a black countertop with wooden cabinets and electrical outlets in the background.

Photo Credits: MTE Biotech

Startup Support & Commercialization

The Combine | Invest Nebraska

A startup support platform helping animal health entrepreneurs move technologies from concept to market through mentorship, producer access, commercialization programming, and connections across the animal health ecosystem.

A group of people standing in front of a large red agricultural sprayer machine in a dry field under a clear blue sky.

Photo Credits: Greeneye Technology