Citizens interested in seeing Austin and Mower County grow in the area of biobusiness are encouraged to attend the Austin and Mower County Town Meeting Aug. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Riverland Community College.

The Town Meeting is a product of the Town Meeting Initiative (TMI) process, a community development program funded by a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, that identifies and leverages community strengths or assets to create economic growth and prosperity. The Development Corporation of Austin (DCA) has coordinated a volunteer community group to work through the TMI process focusing on two areas; creating entrepreneur success to support prosperity and growing biobusiness to increase regional economic vitality.

“Our group’s mission is to jumpstart biobusiness in Mower County by informing the community, cultivating local innovators and their ideas and, ultimately, creating jobs,” said John Garry, executive director of the DCA.

Biobusiness is economic activity related to the development and commercialization of bioscience or bioscience related technologies, products or services.

Bioscience applies biological technology to innovations in medicine/research, energy/renewable energy and agriculture.

Ways to support entrepreneurs or grow biobusiness in the region include the development of new enterprises, products and markets; new patents; increased funding sources; collaboration among business, education and government; jobs being generated; training/services to start or expand businesses; and increased business profits.

Anyone interested in brainstorming and discussing ideas related to biobusiness and entrepreneurship can attend the Town Meeting Aug. 20 at the Riverland Community College, West Building, Room A237 from 6 to 9 p.m. Pre-registration is not required.

“The Aug. 20 meeting is open to everyone,” Garry said. “This includes entrepreneurs, people with ideas related to biobusiness and, most importantly, anyone interested in seeing our community grow.”

At the Town Meeting participants will help select three possible projects that will vie for a portion or all of $15,000 in seed money. The finalists will further develop the project idea and present to the TMI group in September. The TMI group will determine which project (or projects) will receive monetary and other support. A free dinner will be served.

For more information about the Town Meeting Initiative process, contact John Garry, Development Corporation of Austin, at 433-9496; Amy Wangen, community co-coordinator, 279-3575; or visit austindca.org/tmi. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation invests in the region’s future growth through grants, loans, technical expertise and partnerships that foster workforce readiness and entrepreneurial activity — especially in areas of biomedicine, bioagriculture and alternative energy. The Development Corporation of Austin is an economic development agency serving Austin and Mower County. The DCA has traditionally focused on businesses involved in the industrial, manufacturing and technology sector. DCA’s current priorities include seeking economic growth opportunities in the emerging industries of bioscience and renewable energy.