By Mark Bashore, WKAR
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-936704.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Mid-Michigan has a new leader in the effort to expand its bio-economy.
AUDIO:
Tracey Maroney has been named the executive director of the Greater mid-Michigan Bio-Manufacturing Alliance. She is charged with creating a network that will link manufacturers, engineers and others to help grow the sector. Maroney says it's not clear how big the area's bio-economy is:
"We don't know who is doing what," she says. "There are probably are a lot of entities out there, but nobody has actually gathered around the table the industries that are actually doing this, and that's my job."
Bio-manufacturing often uses agricultural waste and byproducts instead of petroleum to make products in various industries. Maroney says she also wants to raise awareness of concepts like sustainability and 'green' manufacturing. The alliance is a part of Prima Civitas, the non-profit Lansing economic development organization.
reWorking Michigan
For more on job creation and workforce evolution in Michigan, visit WKAR.org/reworkingmichigan