Accessibility menu
State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
VICE-CHAIR NORTON LEADS BIOSCIENCE TOUR IN ROCHESTER & AUSTIN
ROCHESTER, MN State Representative Kim Norton (DFL Rochester) is leading a legislative tour in Rochester and Austin Friday aimed at evaluating current resources and potential opportunities for small business growth in the biosciences. As Vice-Chair of the Bioscience and Emerging Technologies Committee in the Minnesota House of Representatives, Norton was instrumental in passing landmark legislation she authored last session that will provide $25 million in this biennium, plus $8 million of ongoing funding for the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics a coordinated effort between the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota based in Rochester.
"This funding will provide additional resources to a program that has already yielded positive results in the field of science and for the well-being of our state," said Norton. "Strong, ongoing investments in this program will keep Minnesota on the leading edge of bioscience research, discovery, and innovation. The state's support of this important program is good for our state's economy, good for science, good for patient health, and good for Rochester."
Norton is hopeful that this strong new investment in bioscience research will spur strong business growth and entrepreneurship in Minnesota's bioscience industry. To more fully evaluate these opportunities, the Senate Business, Industry, and Jobs Committee is joining Norton's House Bioscience Committee on a full-day tour of IBM's facility in Rochester, the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics Partnership facility in Rochester, and the Hormel Institute in Austin.
This bipartisan group of lawmakers will be meeting with bioscience experts, local economic development leaders, and University stakeholders throughout the day Friday. They hope to establish a stronger first-hand understanding of the additional resources this high-potential industry needs from the state in order to flourish in Minnesota. State legislators then plan to take their findings back to the Capitol to craft additional legislation supporting the bioscience industry in the future.
"Our continued support of this high-potential industry will be vital to its long-term success," said Norton. "If we do this right, our state will be at the heart and center of a booming new industry with high-paying jobs for hard-working Minnesotans. This is just the kind of economic development investment Minnesota needs."
Norton plans to work with area business leaders throughout the coming months to determine any further need for additional legislation that would support bioscience research and economic development when session reconvenes in February.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.