Aaron Sanderford
LINCOLN — A U.S. Department of Agriculture research center being built on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus would receive another $16 million in federal funds under a bill the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced Thursday.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, a member of the committee, touted the new money as a worthy investment in a “hub for research [that] will attract students, scientists, and industry leaders focused on turning research into products and solutions in the field.”
Broke ground in May
USDA and UNL broke ground on the new research facility in May. Its purpose is to find new ways to produce more food for a growing global population while using fewer natural resources.
Fischer, in a statement, said the new funding, if approved by the full Senate and the House, could “expand Nebraska’s leading role in agricultural innovation.” It was part of an agricultural, food security and rural development bill.
Fischer also celebrated the inclusion of $3 million in new funding for the National Drought Mitigation Center at UNL and $1 million for a new cooperative focused on protecting agricultural research data from online theft and threats.
Part of $160 million project
The $16 million in construction funds for the $160 million National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Agriculture follows $25 million that the Nebraska delegation steered last year toward the facility, which will combine USDA and UNL research.
Part of that combination will happen at the Nebraska Ag-Tech Innovation Accelerator, built by NU and the state to take strong agricultural research to the marketplace, much like a similar center for medical technologies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
New University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold thanked the state’s congressional delegation for keeping NU “at the forefront” of ag research. This builds on the 67 USDA scientists NU officials have said are already working on East Campus.
“This facility is going to be a game-changer for our state,” Gold said. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our elected leaders, university colleagues, philanthropic partners and farmers and ranchers across the state.”
Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and his predecessor in the 1st District, Jeff Fortenberry, have also secured millions in federal funding for the project.