U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, attended the groundbreaking of the Marrone Michigan Manufacturing facility in Bangor, which will create at least 50 new jobs in the region.  Stabenow recruited Marrone Bio Innovations Inc. (MBI), which is headquartered in California, to come and open the new bio-based manufacturing plant in Bangor. Bio-based manufacturing, using agriculture goods instead of petroleum-based products and other materials in manufactured goods, is an industry poised to grow and create jobs in Michigan.

"When we grow things here and make things here, we create jobs here in Michigan," said Senator Stabenow.  "Businesses like MBI are strengthening our economy with new job opportunities in bio-based manufacturing, an area poised for growth in Michigan.  As Senate Agriculture Chairwoman, I met with MBI and strongly urged them to locate in Michigan.  MBI is precisely the type of innovative bio-based business Michigan is attracting, which will not only create new high-tech jobs of the future but also help protect our Great Lakes and waterways from invasive zebra mussels."

MBI plans to manufacture two of its most recently introduced products at the new site, including one to control invasive zebra and quagga mussels which have been a serious problem in the Great Lakes.  Senator Stabenow has long championed efforts to combat invasive species in the Great Lakes, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, and Asian carp.  Earlier this year Senator Stabenow authored the bipartisan Stop Invasive Species Act, which was recently signed into law, to help prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.

Earlier this year, Senator Stabenow also introduced her Grow It Here, Make It Here initiatives to increase access to capital for bio-based manufacturers, improve marketing of bio-based products, and spur the commercialization of new agricultural innovations to create new jobs.  The Farm Bill that Senator Stabenow authored, which passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support 64-35, includes her Grow It Here, Make It Here initiatives.  For more information on the Farm Bill, click here.

Bio-based manufacturing is a key sector of Michigan's agriculture industry, which supports nearly one out of every four jobs. Michigan innovators and entrepreneurs are processing Michigan-grown crops such as soy, wheat, sugar and corn for use in advanced manufactured goods across the state. From car parts to cleaning products, soaps, insulation, plastics, foam goods and fabrics, bio-based products are finding their way into a wide variety of sectors in our economy.  Using American-grown bio-based products creates jobs here at every level of the supply chain, and by replacing petroleum-based products, reduces the nation's dependence on foreign oil.