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Among those representing Iowa at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, California this week were, from left, Kyrie Miller, director of communications and economic development for Alliant Energy, Mark Laurenzo, business development manager for the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Austin Corns, economic development director for Greater Iowa City Inc. and Jefferson Forsbender, economic development director for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
-Submitted Photos
Among those representing Iowa at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, California this week were, from left, Kyrie Miller, director of communications and economic development for Alliant Energy, Mark Laurenzo, business development manager for the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Austin Corns, economic development director for Greater Iowa City Inc. and Jefferson Forsbender, economic development director for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
Local economic development leaders say the Fort Dodge area is an ideal place for biotech innovators to begin turning ideas into products.
“We're well positioned to grow and be a place where biotech can find a home.” “It's a great opportunity for us to get to this point,” said Jefferson Forsbender, economic development director for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.
It's the message he delivered this week at a major international conference on biotechnology.
Forsbender was one of about 19,000 attendees at the BIO International Congress in San Diego, California.
BIO stands for Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
“The mission of this group is essentially to heal, energize and feed the world.” He said.
The convention will be held at the San Diego Convention Center and will span the entirety of Central Avenue from City Square to 12th Street, Forsbender said.
Learning what biotech innovations are nearing the manufacturing stage was one of his main goals at the convention, and he said that while breakthroughs can happen in a lab anywhere, the final products will be made in places like Fort Dodge and Webster County.
According to Forsbender, many small startups “We will be examining these technologies.” The next step is to figure out how and where to move into production, he said.
“Once these technologies are developed, we will manufacture the products.” He said.
Networking and learning from experts was another big objective of his at the convention.
“It was amazing to hear from some of the brightest minds on the planet and some of the biggest technology companies on the planet.” Fosbender said.
