BROOKINGS, S.D.(KJJQ)- Grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies were held Wednesday afternoon at the new POET Bioproducts Center.

The center is designed to take new technologies developed at the universities and scale them up for commercial uses.

The 30-million dollar facility is located at the Research Park at SDSU.  University president Barry Dunn says SDSU has long been a pioneer in biofuels and with this facility, that will continue.

Jeff Broin is the founder and CEO of Sioux Falls-based POET, the world’s largest biofuels producer and a major contributor to the center’s construction.

Craig Arnold is Executive Director of Dakota Bioworks, the non-profit that will run the facility. He says the bio-economy is the future.

The facility is a cooperative effort between SDSU and the School of Mines in Rapid City and was built through a public/private partnership.