The new 27-member Advisory Committee for Biotechnology in the Charlotte Region, developed by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in cooperation with regional partners, met July 27 for the first time to begin mapping strategies to strengthen biotechnology development throughout the region.
The Committee, which will focus on short- and long-term biotechnology science and resources, economic gain, and job creation, is chaired by former Gov. Jim Martin, now with Carolinas Healthcare System. The Vice chair is Bob Wilhelm of Charlotte Research Institute.
"The Charlotte region is poised to move to a next level of biotechnology leadership and growth within North Carolina's expanding biotechnology community," said Martin. "The Committee is an important first: never before have regional leaders assembled to deliberately think about ways to ensure that the Charlotte region gains more biotechnology attention, resources, economic impact, companies, and high-paying jobs."
Regional Emphasis
The Committee will in particular consider current and new sectors for regional emphasis, including bioinformatics, nutrigenomics and value-added plants, nutrition, biomedical devices, investment support, and nanobiotechnology.
Advisory Committees are a significant component of the Biotechnology Center's strategy for statewide biotechnology development. Five regional offices serve Greater Charlotte, the Piedmont Triad, Eastern and Southeastern North Carolina, and Western North Carolina.
Each is staffed with a director and an assistant, and each administers an Advisory Committee. Developing biotechnology statewide is a priority of New Jobs Across North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Growing the Economy Statewide Through Biotechnology.
Marjorie Benbow is director of the Charlotte regional office, assisted by Clare Cook-Faggart.
The Advisory Committee will work to strengthen the structure of the regional community, and assist its continuing movement from strategies and goals to practical outcomes.
Members are serving three-year appointments and can serve two terms for a total of six years. The committee chair and vice chair serve two-year terms. The committee will meet quarterly -- in April, July, October and January-- and will be administered by the Biotechnology Center.
About the Biotechnology Center
The Biotechnology Center is a state-supported, non-profit organization. It was established in 1984 by the North Carolina General Assembly as the world's first targeted initiative for biotechnology development.
Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business and education statewide.
North Carolina is the nation's No. 3 state for biotechnology, based on number of companies. About 400 bioscience companies operate in the state and employ about 48,000 North Carolinians.
