Brazos Valley Wins Coveted CEDA From TEDC
The Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation (BVEDC) has been awarded a 2020 Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) from the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC). The award honors excellence and exceptional contributions of Texas communities in economic development.
Each year, the CEDAs are awarded in five different categories based on population. The Brazos Valley is part of the 250,000+ population category, meaning it competes each year against the largest metropolitan areas in the state. Entries are judged on innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measurable objectives, and secondary benefits to the community.
For the award, the BVEDC submitted FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ expansion project for a 65,000 sq. ft. gene therapy facility on the College Station side of the region’s Biocorridor. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ $120 million capital investment will boost the company’s Brazos Valley operations and create up to 300 new jobs.
“A strong team effort is required to receive a prestigious Community Economic Development Award, and the Brazos Valley takes teamwork to the next level,” said Matt Prochaska, president/CEO, Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation. “FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies has been an incredible partner in our community, and the company’s work speaks for itself. Our cities, county, higher education entities and companies like FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies come together each day to increase the strength and competitiveness of the Brazos Valley. We thank the Texas Economic Development Council for this recognition.”
The expansion project spotlights the region’s commitment to creating an interconnected, master-planned bioscience research and development community, which includes the partnership between FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and the Texas A&M University System’s Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM). The resulting partnership provides research collaborations and workforce advantages to the Brazos Valley.
Since the expansion announcement, a $265 million order supporting Operation Warp Speed was announced, reserving production capacity at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ Texas facility for a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in a contract between the federal government and CIADM.
“We are honored to be part of the thriving Brazos Valley community and creating skilled jobs for the local workforce,” said Dr. Gerry Farrell, chief operating officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Texas. “With the opportunity to mass produce a COVID-19 vaccine right here in Brazos Valley, the Biocorridor will become one of the biggest hubs for biotech innovation.” The BVEDC will receive the CEDA on behalf of the community Wednesday, October 7, as part of the TEDC’s annual conference.
The Brazos Valley previously won CEDAs in 2000 and 1998. The awards were established in 1995.
* OCTOBER 7 UPDATE: Below is the acceptance video from TEDC's annual conference.
More Reaction from Brazos Valley Leaders:
John Sharp, Texas A&M University System Chancellor“In 2012, when the Texas A&M University System became the only university designated by the federal government to build a world-class vaccine production facility, we were pleased later to attract FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies to join us as a partner. Together we hope soon to provide the world with the answer to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Michael K. Young, Texas A&M University President“This award is yet another validation of the extraordinary community collaboration in Bryan-College Station among the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M University, elected leaders and advocates like the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation who will receive the award on behalf of all.”
Karl Mooney, City of College Station Mayor“The City of College Station is thrilled and honored to be in a partnership with the City of Bryan and Brazos County that together with the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation has enabled FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies to locate and expand in our community. The company has already established itself as a significant supporter of community efforts and organizations. As it grows, its presence will undoubtedly increase its value to the charitable needs and causes for its neighbors. As the host city for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ location in the Brazos Valley, the College Station city staff and residents of our community stand ready to welcome the growing number of employees that will be required for the company’s dedicated efforts to produce life-saving vaccines to the world. It is our intent to not only demonstrate and share with them the quality of life we enjoy, but to have them be surrounded by Texas hospitality. Most importantly, we will all strive to make them feel at home.”
Duane Peters, Brazos County Judge“Our community is proud to have FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies grow here and winning the 2020 Community Economic Development Award is a great honor for the Brazos Valley. This award is a testament to the unity and support of our residents, local governments, and institutions of higher education, and would not be possible without the hard work of the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation.”
Andrew Nelson, City of Bryan Mayor“Receiving a Community Economic Development Award is a huge honor for the Bryan-College Station community. We are extremely proud of the work the BVEDC has done to put a spotlight on the great opportunities in the Brazos Valley. The investment that FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies has made in the Biocorridor continues to benefit everyone in the region by providing high-quality jobs for our residents and spurring additional growth in Bryan-College Station.”
About BVEDC
The Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership serving the citizens of Brazos County, Texas. The BVEDC pursues economic growth without regard to jurisdiction through its programs, services and initiatives to help launch, grow and locate companies in the Brazos Valley. For more, visit brazosvalleyedc.org.
About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is an industry-leading Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with locations in Teesside, UK, RTP, North Carolina, College Station, Texas and Hillerød, Denmark. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies has over thirty years of experience in the development and manufacturing of recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, among other large molecules, viral products and medical countermeasures expressed in a wide array of microbial, mammalian, and host/virus systems. The company offers a comprehensive list of services from cell line development using its proprietary pAVEway™ microbial and Apollo™X cell line systems to process development, analytical development, clinical and FDA-approved commercial manufacturing. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is a partnership between FUJIFILM Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. For more information, go to: www.fujifilmdiosynth.com
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings cutting edge solutions to a broad range of global industries by leveraging its depth of knowledge and fundamental technologies developed in its relentless pursuit of innovation. Its proprietary core technologies contribute to the various fields including healthcare, graphic systems, highly functional materials, optical devices, digital imaging and document products. These products and services are based on its extensive portfolio of chemical, mechanical, optical, electronic and imaging technologies. For the year ended March 31, 2020, the company had global revenues of $21 billion, at an exchange rate of 109 yen to the dollar. Fujifilm is committed to responsible environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit: www.fujifilmholdings.com
