Maple Grove Lands $132M Biotech Testing Hub

Maple Grove Lands $132M Biotech Testing Hub

Maple Grove is set to become home to a significant new development as the U.S. tries to ramp up innovations in industrial biotechnology.

BioMADE, a nonprofit headquartered on University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus, plans to transform an existing building near Highway 169 and Elm Creek Boulevard to serve as a large-scale test hub for biotech products. BioMADE also has a satellite office in Berkeley, Calif, according to the nonprofit’s website.

The new facility is a $132 million investment with the state of Minnesota contributing $50 million and the U.S. Department of Defense covering the rest. BioMADE was established in late 2020 through a variety of public and private funding sources, including $87.5 million from the Department of Defense to help develop defense-related materials.

The 122,000-square-foot Maple Grove site, located at 7500 Meridian Cir. N., will be the nonprofit’s first flagship location with other facilities planned around the county. It will help companies test their products before full-scale production using Minnesota-grown crops such as corn, soy and sugar beets. Such products would serve as an alternative to those made with petroleum.

“The U.S. has been a global leader in biotechnology research and innovation for more than 40 years. However, the country needs additional assets to bring these innovations from the lab to commercial production,” said BioMade CEO Douglas Friedman in a statement. “BioMADE is proud to announce this exciting milestone in Minnesota, as we continue to collaborate with partners across the country to build our network of biomanufacturing facilities. The Maple Grove location will provide the industry and Department of Defense with shared access to the state-of-the-art equipment required to face the challenges of scaling up.”

BioMADE works with companies big and small to develop consumer products such as plant-based plastics, clothing and personal care items. Companies it works with include Wayzata-based Cargill and Maryland-based Lockheed Martin.

The facility is scheduled to open in 2027 and employ 25 people.

SOURCE: CCX MEDIA