A who's who list of political, educational and industrial leaders from across the state has come together to help create a plan to grow North Carolina's biotechnology and agricultural industries.
Former Gov. Jim Hunt, a leading force for technology development over the past three decades, is co-chair of the committee. The 34 members gathered for their first meeting on Monday at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
Steven Burke, senior vice president for corporate affairs at the Biotech center, is also a co-chair of the AgBiotech Steering Committee.
The task assigned the group: "How can North Carolina in coming decades gain from thoughtful, appropriate, and wide application of biotechnology to our agricultural economy, future and landscape?"
A report is scheduled to be submitted to the General Assembly and other groups next spring.
Key questions to be explored, according to the Biotechnology Center:
Beverly Perdue, the governor-elect, addressed the group.
Just days after the election, Perdue hosted a meeting with biotechnology industry leaders. Several at that session lobbied her for increased state investment in life sciences.
A recent report sponsored by the Biotechnology Center noted that North Carolina has invested some $1.2 billion in biotech in recent years. The industry now employs more than 50,000 people statewide.
The state's agriculture industry includes 48,000 farms and produced revenues of nearly $8.7 billion in 2007, according to the Department of Agriculture.
"You are combining two of North Carolina's leading economic platforms - agriculture and biotechnology - and creating a brand new platform for economic growth," Perdue told the steering committee, according to a statement issued by the Biotech Center.
The group will be expanded in coming weeks to more than 100 people and will meet regularly, according to the Biotech Center.
Work groups will be assigned to six areas:
"Applying biotechnology appropriately, carefully, and realistically to our landscape can yield jobs in all 100 counties," Hunt said.