By Jamie Martin
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is welcoming the reintroduction of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act, a bipartisan effort to strengthen US leadership in plant-based manufacturing. The bill focuses on expanding corn-based bioproduct markets, supporting rural communities, and advancing sustainable innovation.
Introduced in the Senate by Joni Ernst, Elissa Slotkin, Amy Klobuchar, and Pete Ricketts, and in the House by Mark Alford, Angie Craig, Mark Messmer, and Kristen McDonald Rivet, the legislation directly supports CRA’s Farm Bill priorities.
“The Corn Refiners Association is proud to support this legislative effort and looks forward to working with Congress, industry stakeholders, and rural leaders to ensure the continued advancement of the U.S. bioeconomy,” said John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. “This legislation responds to growing consumer demand for American-made, corn-derived bioproducts. It’s a smart investment in manufacturing, rural economies, and our national competitiveness.”
The measure enhances USDA’s BioPreferred Program, which promotes renewable products from US crops. It also updates federal procurement rules to encourage biobased product use, expands public outreach, and provides additional training for federal procurement officials.
Another feature of the bill is commissioning a national economic impact study to measure the bioeconomy’s benefits, while also strengthening supply chains to support domestic production.
By opening new market opportunities for corn refiners and modernizing USDA programs, the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act positions the US to remain a world leader in renewable, biobased innovation. It also reinforces the link between agriculture, manufacturing, and environmental sustainability, ensuring that rural areas benefit from future economic growth.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-chrisboswell
Categories: National