Drayton Valley Bio-Mile

The science is complex, but the facts are simple. By taking wood fibre and plant-based bio-mass from the forestry and agriculture sectors and breaking it down to its constituent parts, it's possible to manufacture a vast array of consumer products, including: •Traditional sawmill products •Electricity •Car parts •Plastics and resins •Building insulation •Building products •Cellulosic fuels •Synthetic natural gas •Renewable Transportation fuels •Numerous bio-based consumer and bio-industrial chemicals The opportunities have already brought four major industrial partners on board, including a European organization representing more than 75 research and industrial leaders interested in making products from clean, green and renewable natural fibres. Knowledge support for this new and sustainable stream of economic growth comes from partnerships with leading Alberta and European research institutions. Plans also call for integrating research and teaching into the Bio-Mile, providing ways for today's labour force to take advantage of tomorrow's opportunities. Executive direction for the Drayton Valley Bio-Mile is provided by the Mayor and Council and a special Bio-Mile committee supported by a citizens' engagement committee. Operational and management functions are housed within the BIO-ARCC (Bio-economy Incubator Office for Applied Research and Commercialization Centre) project. The BIO-ARCC, funded in 2010 through Rural Alberta's Development Fund, aims to create a centre of excellence providing business with access to expertise in applied research, commercialization, market research, business incubation and training and skills development. In short, the BIO-ARCC gives the Bio-Mile and our partners the tools they need to succeed in this emerging marketplace. A key part of the BIO-ARCC is the creation of the Clean Energy and Technology Centre. This will serve as a catalyst for research and in clean energy in rural Alberta. The aim is to create a facility which will offer •Research and Development support for new and existing bio-industrial companies •Commercialization support for companies that need help moving from innovation and development to the commercialization of their products •A link between industry, academia and potential investors •Education and training to create a highly-skilled and educated labour force