Kansas Wheat receives $1.5 million EDA Grant

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) last week awarded a $1,589,425 EDA grant to the Kansas Wheat Commission of Manhattan, Kansas, to fund construction of a greenhouse and head house complex at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center. The additional space will be used to expand and enhance public-private collaborative research and commercialization in wheat biotechnology. This investment is part of a $3,320,947 project that is estimated to be completed over the next three years.

The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center (KWIC) was built by the Kansas Wheat Commission, through the Kansas wheat checkoff, to get improved varieties into the hands of farmers faster. It represents the single largest investment by wheat farmers in the nation. The Center was built on land owned by Kansas State University; the Kansas Wheat Commission has a 50-year lease on the property. Construction on the $11 million Kansas Wheat Innovation Center began in October 2011 and the facility was completed in November 2012.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)

The mission of the EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.