The Biobased Rural Innovation for Domestic Growth and Economic Security (BRIDGES) Engine will transform rural economies by advancing domestic biobased manufacturing using locally grown resources. The Engine will strengthen both agriculture and manufacturing by integrating low-input perennial grasses, such as miscanthus and switchgrass, into advanced manufacturing systems that can supply materials and products for the automotive, construction materials, and packaging sectors. By connecting local production with domestic manufacturing, BRIDGES addresses national priorities, including revitalizing rural prosperity, improving the resiliency of domestic supply chains, and strengthening the U.S. agricultural enterprise. The effort is designed to foster new industries, support job creation, and expand workforce development opportunities in rural communities across Alabama and Tennessee while also broadening participation in agriculture and science, stimulating entrepreneurship, and contributing to long-term national prosperity. The project’s importance extends beyond traditional economic outcomes and will create lasting impacts through innovations that engage farmers, researchers, industry, and communities.
The goals and scope of the project encompass the creation of a multidisciplinary innovation ecosystem that connects agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology to accelerate the commercialization of new biobased products. The effort will combine use-inspired research with technology development and capacity building across three targeted industries: automotive, construction materials, and packaging. BRIDGES will employ participatory and data-driven approaches, including digital twins and AI-enabled decision-support systems, to optimize crop design, manufacturing efficiency, and supply-chain performance. Evaluation methods will apply mixed quantitative and qualitative analyses to track and measure progress toward strategic objectives and ensure adaptivity and long-term impacts. By coupling scientific advancement with community engagement and education, BRIDGES will advance national competitiveness in biobased manufacturing, enhance workforce readiness, and provide a replicable model for regional innovation-led growth.
