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Maroney to Head New Mid-Michigan Bio-Manufacturing Alliance

The Greater Mid-Michigan Bio-Manufacturing Alliance, an initiative that is working to "green" Mid-Michigan's bio-manufacturing sector, has a new executive director.

Tracey Maroney was recently hired by the alliance to facilitate the creation and maintenance of a network that includes auto-manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, engineers, farmers, and educators.

The GMBMA is funded by a $250,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth to Capital Area Michigan Works. The GMBMA project has been in the works for the past few years as a partnership between CAMW and the Prima Civitas Foundation, a Lansing-based nonprofit.

Bio-manufacturing uses agricultural waste and byproducts instead of petroleum to create products for the pharmaceutical, automotive, plastics and other industries.

Maroney looks at bio-manufacturing as a way to diversify the Mid-Michigan region. 

"This is an exciting time to be Michigan and to say 'What's next?'," Maroney said. "The bio-economy can be a core component of the Mid-Michigan region's future economy."

Setting up shop at Prima Civitas, Maroney's efforts thus far have focused on getting the word out about GMBMA. Organizations interested in becoming a part of GMBMA are encouraged to contact Tracey at (517) 999-3382 ext. 303 or tracey.maroney@primacivitas.org.

Maroney has a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a master's of public administration degree from Central Michigan University.  A native of Traverse City, she currently resides in Grand Ledge. 

For more information on GMBMA, please visit the Prima Civitas Foundation Web site at www.primacivitas.org.

(c) 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All rights reserved.

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