Nebraska "Bio-Friendly" Business Region Created

Two Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) councils have joined forces to create a "bio business friendly region" and are working to promote the renewable resources available in a 15-county area in North Central Nebraska. The Loup Basin and North Central RC&D councils have joined with others in the area to recruit business start-ups and utilize the area's renewable resources, such as biomass, wind, biodiesel and solar. The region also aims to promote beneficial uses of invasive species such as salt cedar, Russian olive, leafy spurge, knapweed and others.

LeRoy Jons, Loup Basin RC&D coordinator, says region organizers have been making direct contact with companies in Oregon, New Mexico, Wyoming, Texas and Colorado, among other states, to discuss the regional effort. The region has been boosted by a grant from Nebraska Public Power and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, with the funding aimed at helping the 15 counties to identify their strengths in the renewable energy arena, and how best to market those strengths. The organizers are also contacting facilities in the region to discuss the possible use of biomass material in the area that can be used to heat and cool their facilities. "We've also held workshops on alternative energy, biodiesel, carbon sequestration, community based energy development, and small scale solar and wind energy," said Jons. "The interest is here. We just need to identify the main players and put the pieces together."

For more information on the Loup Basin RC&D, go to http://www.loupbasinrcd.net/.