BROOKINGS, S.D.(KLLG)- Ground has been broken for the POET Bioproducts Institute at the Research Park at South Dakota State University.

The $28-million facility will bring researchers from South Dakota State University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology together with industry partners. The goal is to transition bench-scale bioprocessing and bioproducts research to the marketplace.

South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn asks us to imagine future economic growth as new businesses are built around ag commodities..

Jeff Lautt is President and Chief Operating Officer of POET Biofuels. He says this institute could have a major impact on the world.

Jeff Partridge is on the South Daktoa Board of regents and is a former state senator who helped push $20-million in funding for this facility through the legislature.

The facility will be managed by a newly established not-for-profit organization, Dakota Bioproducts Innovation Institute.