North Carolina’s Agriculture and Biotechnology communities have launched a new global economic development platform.
Doug Edgeton is President and CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. He said Wednesday's announcement brings Agriculture, Biotechnology, company growth and jobs together.
“We have the companies, we have the research, we have the workforce, what we have lacked is something to call it," said Edgeton. "So without further adieu, I’d like to officially unveil “AgBiosphere.”
Edgeton says the new “AgBiosphere” branding will better present what the state has to offer to the world. Right now there are more than 80 Ag Biotech companies in the state.
Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler and Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker were on hand for the announcement.
Decker says it’s time to let the world know about the state’s "AgBiosphere."
“North Carolina is uniquely sitting at a place of critical importance in the Agriculture revolution. And in this time, as I have learned more about it, I believe that," said Decker.
Decker says the state has invested $135 million in biotech workforce training in the past decade.
Richard Linton is Dean of NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He also supports the new “AgBiosphere.”
“I think no other state in the nation has the capacity to grow due to the tremendous assets we have in the state," said Linton. "We represent the number one economic sector in the state, and we plan to grow it to $100 Billion as well with over 800,000 jobs by the year 2020.”