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Volume 2, Issue 2 - March/April 1998 |
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Food Chain ReturnsThe Food Chain is back with a new look and a new publication schedule. We will now come to you bimonthly beginning with this issue. The Food Chain continues its commitment to provide you with updates on fiscal year closeout, start-up, and planning activities, in addition to, program news, organizational changes, and committee meetings. We hope you like our new look, and we look forward to keeping you abreast of the exciting events shaping Georgia’s food processing industry. Please submit comments and story ideas to Angela Colar, Editor, at (404) 894-8079 or e-mail angela.colar@gtri.gatech.edu. . Fiscal Year 1997–1998 Report to Industry Highlights Research
Results
FoodPAC Committees Schedule Meetings to Select FY 1999 Research AgendaFoodPAC’s three Technical Committees are scheduled to meet separately
later this month to review 25 FY 1999 proposals, including 12 Process and Product
Competitiveness, 8 Environmental, and 5 Food Safety projects. Requested funding totals
$3.2 million.
FoodPAC Makes Its World Wide Web Debut
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Governor Miller Announces Fiscal 1999 Budget Recommendations On January 13, Governor Miller unveiled his Fiscal 1999 State of Georgia budget recommendations to a joint session of the Georgia Legislature. In his recommendation package, the Governor included nearly $2.2 million for food processing research and assistance activities under the Traditional Industries Research Program. Of this total, $1,394,000 in general funds were allocated for research and assistance projects (with a projected split of 15% for environmental projects, 78% for process/product improvements, and 6% for food safety), $600,000 in bond funds for research project equipment purchases, and $200,000 in bond funds to plan a Food Processing Technology Research Facility at Georgia Tech. These recommendations closely mirror the recommendations made by FoodPAC’s Steering Committee to the Governor last September. The chief difference between the two is the Governor’s recommendation to provide planning funds alone for the Food Processing Technology Research Facility at Georgia Tech. The Steering Committee had recommended full funding for the project in FY 1999, seeking $4 million in state support to go along with an estimated $1 million in additional support from other sources. In the Governor’s speech, there was strong mention of the Traditional Industries Research Program and the importance it plays in Georgia’s economic plan. Here are his words: “Georgia is one of the top two states in the nation in the state funds we invest in research and development. And, largely because of that, we led the nation last year in the creation of new high-tech jobs. I proposed $42 million in the supplemental budget for the Georgia Research Alliance to expand and strengthen our ability to commercialize the discoveries that come from those research labs. “Today, our focus shifts to the companion program of the Research Alliance — the Traditional Industries Research Program. First, you should know that there is no other program like this one anywhere in the United States. Many states are investing in high-tech research, but no other state has the kind of broad-based, ongoing research program serving its traditional manufacturing base that Georgia has. “Historically, three manufacturing industries have formed the bedrock of Georgia’s economy: pulp and paper, food processing, and textiles and carpet. Combined, they employ a quarter of a million Georgians — nearly half of our manufacturing work force. “The Traditional Industries Program is a public-private partnership in which each industry identifies problems that are critical to its competitiveness, and then works closely with faculty at Georgia colleges and universities to solve those problems. Let me briefly give you three practical examples. “Currently, Georgia manufacturers use warehouse pallets made of wood that weigh about 67 pounds. But now, new federal safety regulations mandate that no pallet can weigh more than 57 pounds. So, Traditional Industries researchers developed a new composite material from plastic and carpet and textile waste scraps that is as durable as wood, but much lighter in weight. “Another: Wastewater is an important problem for all of these industries. So, our researchers designed and helped install a closed-loop wastewater treatment system at a textile mill near Griffin. It is the first of its kind, and has helped cut the mill’s wastewater discharge in half. “You may also remember the recent alarm over beef that was infected with E. coli bacteria. Here in Georgia, researchers have developed a new cattle vaccine against E. coli. And they are working with the FDA right now to get it on the market. “These are just three examples of the practical ways in which the Traditional Industries Program is serving the pulp and paper, textile, and food processing industries of Georgia. So, you will find more than $7 million in this budget to expand the activities of this important research program, bringing the total state investment to more than $34 million. And remember, these funds are matched by private sector investment from the companies that benefit from the research.”  |
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