Gov. Pritzker Announces Expansion of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

October 12, 2026

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(Office of Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL)) $17 million investment will expand biomanufacturing research capabilities, strengthen workforce training, and support agricultural and economic development in Southwestern Illinois

Today (October 9, 2026), Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $17 million in funding to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to expand the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC), which includes $15 million from the State of Illinois and $2 million from the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

The investment will allow NCERC to build capacity and support companies that are developing and commercializing new bioproducts, while creating additional opportunities for research partnerships, agricultural innovation, and workforce development in downstate Illinois. The project will also strengthen the regional economy through new jobs and construction activity, while supporting the continued growth of University Park at SIUE.

"Illinois is home to cutting-edge institutions, and we're building our state's reputation as a world-class leader in research by expanding the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at SIUE," said Governor JB Pritzker. "As federal policies drive up costs for farmers and consumers, we're working to provide relief while providing new investments for Illinois farmers to grow. This expansion will help turn Illinois crops into new products and create more opportunities and good-paying jobs in Southwestern Illinois."

"The strength of Illinois' agricultural economy comes from our dedication to innovation and best practices," said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "Investing in Corn-to-Ethanol Research means we'll remain at the forefront of both agricultural and environmental protections—supporting Illinoisans now and in the future."

"Investments in agricultural innovation are investments in Illinois' farmers, workers and communities," said Senator Tammy Duckworth. "This funding will help Southern Illinois University Edwardsville advance cutting-edge research, support the development of new bioproducts and create more opportunities for good-paying jobs across Southern Illinois. By expanding the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, we are strengthening our state's leadership in agriculture, biofuels and manufacturing while building the next generation of Illinois innovation."

"This announcement will usher in a new era for SIUE, for student researchers, for our corn growers, and for the future of the bioeconomy here in Illinois. With this $17 million investment, they will be able to expand research and training capacity and give businesses the skilled talent they need to grow," said Congresswoman Budzinski. "I'm proud to continue supporting NCERC back in Washington, as Co-Chair of the Biofuels Congress. This year, I submitted an additional federal funding request that will hopefully boost this already robust investment. Ultimately, this funding will help propel NCERC forward and allow them to expand on the groundbreaking work they are doing right in our district."

The NCERC expansion builds on Governor Pritzker's long-standing efforts to strengthen research and development, advanced manufacturing, agricultural innovation, energy independence, and workforce training. By investing in new infrastructure and workforce development, the project will help position downstate Illinois to compete for research activity, private investment, and high-quality jobs in the growing bioeconomy. This investment also comes at a time when Illinoisans are looking for more affordable fuel options given the rising cost of gasoline due to the Trump Administration's war in Iran and harmful economic policies. Earlier this week, Gov. Pritzker took decisive action to address this crisis, issuing a state disaster proclamation and signing Executive Order 2026-08 to provide relief on diesel costs. Previously, the Governor called upon Congressional leaders to pass legislation permanently allowing year-round sales of E15 gasoline to address rising gas costs and support stronger, more stable agricultural markets in Illinois.

"Governor Pritzker has demonstrated a continuing commitment to strengthen higher education across Illinois, and we are grateful for his support. On behalf of the SIU System and our Board of Trustees, I want to thank the Governor for this $15 million investment in NCERC and for recognizing the important role our research, innovation and workforce development plays in Illinois' future," said SIU President Dan Mahony.

"For the two decades that NCERC has called SIUE home, it has been a leader in research, testing and validating new and emerging biomanufacturing technologies together with industry partners across the nation. As NCERC established itself as a leading proof-of-concert partner, we knew that it could do much more. This expansion creates an opportunity for innovation beyond traditional ethanol, unlocking the potential of renewable feedstocks, the acceleration of industry research, and the ability to develop technologies that tomorrow's bioeconomy will require like sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel, or cellulosic ethanol products. We are excited to be an important part of the innovation taking place in Illinois," said SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor.

"The NCERC expansion represents a strategic investment in Illinois' long-term competitiveness and the nation's bioeconomy," said Praveen Vadlani, Executive Director of NCERC. "By integrating advanced capabilities in agricultural feedstock utilization, AI, automation, and digital bioprocessing with hands-on workforce development, NCERC will accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies, attract private-sector investment, and prepare the skilled talent needed to advance the next generation of biomanufacturing," said National Corn to Ethanol Research Center Executive Director Praveen V. Vadlani, PhD, MBA.

NCERC is a nationally recognized research center dedicated to advancing biotechnology, from research and development to commercial application. For more than two decades, the center has partnered with startups, technology developers, and other industry partners to bring ideas to market, including contributing to the advancement of more than 100 innovative technologies toward commercial readiness, largely in the corn-to-ethanol industry.

"This project demonstrates how strategic investments in research and innovation can drive economic development across downstate Illinois," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "By expanding NCERC's capacity to help companies develop and commercialize new technologies, we are strengthening Southwestern Illinois' position as a hub for biomanufacturing and creating new opportunities for private investment, good-paying jobs, and workforce growth."

"Investment in the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center is crucial in order for Illinois to remain at the forefront of both the production of corn and the innovations that drive demand," said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. "These advances help create new and stronger markets, which in turn, provide Illinois farmers with the stability they deserve. We are grateful to Governor Pritzker for his continued investments in agriculture, our state's number one industry."

The expansion will increase the amount of research space and capabilities available at NCERC, allowing the center to serve a larger number of companies. By increasing its capacity, the center will help attract additional private-sector investment to downstate Illinois while bringing new research dollars, expertise, and commercialization opportunities to the region.

"We thank Governor Pritzker for recognizing the importance of this investment and for his support. NCERC has helped scale countless technologies, making ethanol production more efficient and lowering costs to the consumer over the last 23 years. With this investment in added scale-up capacity, we can continue improving ethanol efficiency while creating new bio-based products and building markets for the next generation of farmers. This investment at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in ‘Sili-Corn Valley' as Congresswoman Budzinski would say, is a commitment to building the technologies and opportunities that will shape the future of Illinois agriculture and the bioeconomy. This is a significant investment in the future of Illinois agriculture, made possible through Governor Pritzker's support," said Mark Bunselmeyer, Illinois Corn Growers Association President and farmer from Maroa, IL.

"An investment of this magnitude in the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center is an investment in the future economic competitiveness of Southwestern Illinois. NCERC has a unique industry profile that few places in the country can match. Its ability to take emerging technologies from research and development through scale-up and toward commercialization gives companies a reason to look at our region when deciding where to innovate, invest and grow," said Kyle Anderson, Executive Director, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. "This expansion will strengthen NCERC's position as a national and international destination for companies working in biofuels and other areas of the growing bioeconomy. Just as importantly, it creates an opportunity for Southwestern Illinois to attract the companies, entrepreneurs, researchers and investment that follow world-class research capabilities. We should view NCERC not only as a tremendous asset for SIUE, but as an economic-development engine capable of helping us bring new businesses and high-quality jobs to our region."

The expanded center will also support Illinois' agriculture industry by advancing technologies that create new markets and opportunities for agricultural producers. With ongoing uncertainty facing producers and agricultural markets nationally, investments that strengthen Illinois' bioeconomy and expand opportunities to utilize these products are increasingly important to the state's agricultural and manufacturing sectors.

Designated as a Biorefining Center of Excellence by the Illinois General Assembly, NCERC has the capacity to scale fermentation processes to 22,000 liters - the largest process development capacity provided by an academic institution in the United States. The expansion will maximize that existing expertise and infrastructure while positioning NCERC to support the next generation of sustainable fuels, chemicals, and materials.

"This is a significant public-private investment that is not only great for our region, but for entire industries across Illinois," said State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). "For more than two decades, the NCERC has been at the forefront of innovation. I'm excited to see what they can accomplish with expanded capabilities."

"NCERC contributes greatly to our local, state, and nation's economy and innovative efforts. This investment and expansion will continue to build the high-quality workforce training and access to state-of-the-art technology that our students deserve," said State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville).

"Today we further our commitment to the state's agriculture industry," said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). "The expansion will connect Illinois' agriculture with the next generation of energy, manufacturing and technology, keeping the state as a national leader in agricultural innovation. More uses for corn can mean more opportunities for Illinois' farmers, strengthening our agriculture economy."

The project will also support increased workforce development efforts through partnerships with SIUE and Lewis and Clark Community College. Expanded facilities and programming are expected to add capacity to train an additional 200 workers each year through a range of workforce development programs, helping build a pipeline of skilled workers for Illinois' growing biomanufacturing and advanced manufacturing sectors. In addition to workforce training opportunities, the project is expected to create approximately 25 new full-time positions at NCERC and support more than 100 construction jobs for local trades during the expansion.

"This is exciting and welcome news for SIUE, Edwardsville and the entire area," Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy said. "The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center is an asset for SIUE and Edwardsville and this investment will multiply the opportunities and potential for growth." READ MORE