Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Bell Aquaculture Launches New Emergency Demand Response Program To Conserve Energy


Quoting from the March 27th news release:

"Bell Aquaculture, a pioneer in sustainable fish farming operations, is one of the first companies in Indiana to implement a new emergency energy conservation program introduced in 2011 by AEP-Indiana Michigan Power for commercial and industrial customers. The announcement is made jointly by Norman McCowan, President of Bell Aquaculture, and Mike Barrett, Controls Manager for Havel-Shambaugh, the Fort Wayne-based company that engineered the project for Bell Aquaculture.

As a result of this program, according to McCowan, Bell Aquaculture has installed smart meters and control systems for standby generating equipment to provide for all its power needs during an energy emergency. Energy emergencies are common in some parts of the country, but are virtually unheard of in Northeast Indiana. Such emergencies occur when the demand for electric power exceeds the power grid’s ability to supply it. Energy emergencies are often triggered by unusual weather, but also could be the result of an unexpected loss of a generating plant or a transmission line.

'Bell Aquaculture has taken sustainability to a new level and now has the capability to seamlessly satisfy all of its electric power needs during an energy emergency, allowing the utility to focus its capacity on serving its other customers, while Bell Aquaculture continues its operations without interruption,' Barrett says. 'Participation in demand response not only helps stretch energy budgets, it also helps the utility make better use of their generation and transmission capabilities. All rate-payers realize a benefit when utilities are able to do more with their existing resources.'"

Link to the PRWeb Newswire

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

FIS United States: 'Bell Aquaculture expands production in Indiana'


Quoting from the March 7th posting by Natalia Real:

"Bell Aquaculture’s latest expansion is turning it into the largest yellow perch production facility anywhere.

The company is constructing more production and wastewater facilities on 72 acres of land near Albany, Indiana to ramp up production to 28 million fish per year by 2016.

Delaware County Commissioners contributed to the firm’s growth in Redkey, which began when Bell had only a few thousand fish in 2005, by approving a USD 16.6 million economic development revenue bond for infrastructure and wastewater work this week. That bond -- a tool used by local government to promote business development and job creation -- is no obligation on county government and is repaid by investors purchasing the issue."

Link to the FIS website

Saturday, March 24, 2012

CBSA's March FOCUS Newsletter Features Covidien's New R&D Innovation Center

FOCUS Newsletter Page 2 Company Spotlight: "Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, recently announced the opening of a 63,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Research & Development (R&D) Innovation Center in Boulder, CO.

In the last five years, Covidien has doubled R&D investments and introduced more than 100 new products. The Company’s goal is to continue to increase R&D spending to 5%-to-6% of sales, as it launches more than 50 products during the next two years. The opening of the Innovation Center in Boulder will be a catalyst for the expansion of R&D capabilities, spurring collaboration and creativity, while decreasing product time-to-market."

Other March FOCUS content includes:

From CBSA President Holli Riebel - Page 1
Medical Device Liability Protection - Page 3
Biotech Pharma Symposium - Page 4
Upcoming Events - Page 5

Link to the March FOCUS Newsletter pdf

Monday, March 19, 2012

New Report Released: 'Research in Your Backyard' - Developing Cures, Creating Jobs in Colorado

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) commends PhRMA and the We Work for Health initiative for drawing important attention to the 1,400+ clinical trials for chronic diseases currently being conducted in Colorado, of which more than 280 are actively recruiting patients suffering with chronic conditions such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and stroke. The announcement is made by Holli Riebel, CBSA President & CEO, who today joined with colleagues from both the public and private sectors, including Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, at a State Capitol News Conference to applaud the release of PhRMA's new report: “Research in Your Backyard.”

In addition to providing new avenues of care for chronic disease sufferers, Riebel explains: “The biopharmaceutical industry in Colorado is a vital part of Colorado’s economy. This sector includes approximately 300 companies employing over 5,410 with average salaries of $93,000. Not only are these high paying high tech jobs but each are working on the innovative life saving medicines of the future.“

In Colorado, according to the report, "biopharmaceutical companies have the luxury of having trials conducted at the states’ well-respected university medical schools, comprehensive cancer centers and clinical trial research centers. According to U.S. News and World Report, University of Colorado-Denver School of Medicine ranked 38th among this year’s top 100 research-oriented medical schools in the United States."

“Research in Your Backyard” is a comprehensive look at pharmaceutical clinical trials in Colorado. Biopharmaceutical research companies are conducting or have conducted more than 3,000 clinical trials of new medicines in collaboration with the state’s clinical research centers, university medical schools and hospitals. Of the more than 3,000 clinical trials, 1,427 target or have targeted the nation’s six most debilitating chronic diseases – asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, mental illnesses and stroke.

For more information, link to the report:

http://www.cobioscience.com/resources/2012_Colorado_ResearchInYourBackyard.pdf

Governor Hickenlooper's remarks about Bioscience and Clinical Research in Colorado:

http://youtu.be/m7NUhWBskOA

Link to the Business Wire release

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

Thursday, March 15, 2012

MedCity News: 'Mayo Clinic Ventures’ chair leaving to bolster bioscience efforts in Colorado'

Quoting from the website dedicated to covering news from the country's elite medical cities:

"A Colorado redevelopment authority charged with developing a bioscience district near the University of Colorado campus in Aurora has appointed the head of Mayo Clinic Ventures as its new leader.

Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority announced that Steve VanNurden will become the group’s new president and CEO starting in late May. FRA was created in 1996 as a partnership between the University of Colorado and the city of Aurora. Now, FRA in partnership with the University, the city of Aurora and the Children’s hospital and other public entities have acquired land that is part of an ambitious effort to transform the area from an old army medical center into a thriving bioscience hub."

Link to the news posting

Rochester Post-Bulletin: 'Van Nurden departs Mayo'

Quoting from coverage today by Jeff Kiger:

"The head of a Mayo Clinic branch that commercializes its patents and inventions is moving on to a new position with the city of Aurora, Colo.

Steve Van Nurden, the chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures, has been hired as the president and chief executive officer of the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority in Aurora. That means he will be in charge of developing the 180-acre Colorado Science + Technology Park.

He will start his new job in May."

Link to the news item

Kiger also blogged about the news yesterday in the posting 'Mayo Clinic Ventures leader leaving for Colorado gig' - link to read

Twin Cities Business Journal: 'Mayo executive named CEO of Colorado life science group'

Quoting from yesterday's posting on the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal site:

"Mayo Clinic executive Steve VanNurden has been named CEO of the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, which supports life science companies in Colorado.

VanNurden is chairman of Mayo Clinic Ventures, which is responsible for patenting and commercializing Mayo’s discoveries, inventions and other intellectual property.

More than 45 startups based on technology from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo have formed under VanNurden's leadership."

Link to the news item

DBJ: 'Mayo Clinic exec to lead Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority'

Quoting from Heather Draper's news posting yesterday:

"The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) has named Mayo Clinic executive Steve VanNurden as its new president and CEO, beginning in late May...

VanNurden will be working with universities, local economic development agencies, state and local governments, and the bioscience industry to promote the development of the 180-acre Colorado Science + Technology Park, adjacent to the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.

The Colorado Science + Technology Park is the center of The Fitzsimons Life Science District, one of the nation’s largest bioscience developments. The FRA directs the commercial developments in the Fitzsimons Life Science District, along with its partner, Forest City Science + Technology Group."

Link to the Denver Business Journal

Breaking News: 'Colorado's Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Names New President & CEO'

Posted online yesterday by Margaret Jackson and in this morning's print edition (page 7B: 'Mayo leader comes to Fitzsimons'). Quoting the coverage:

"Following a nationwide search, the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority has named Steve VanNurden as its new president and chief executive

VanNurden currently is chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures, the invention arm of the Mayo Clinic. The division is responsible for patenting and commercializing Mayo's discoveries, inventions and other intellectual property. More than 45 startups based on Mayo technology have formed under VanNurden's leadership...

The third phase is hiring new management to replace Denise Brown, who has been serving as acting executive director. VanNurden starts his new job in May."

Link to denverpost.com

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Names New President & CEO

Aurora, CO, March 14, 2012 - Following an extensive national search, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) has named Steve VanNurden as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, beginning in late May. The announcement is made by John M. Shaw, Chair of the FRA Board of Directors, who said: "Steve, a seasoned leader in the life science/bioscience space, comes to us from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota."

The appointment of Mr. VanNurden is further evidence of the FRA's continued commitment to support the development of life science companies in Colorado in partnership with the State’s research institutions. He will be working with universities, local economic development agencies, state and local governments, and the bioscience industry to promote the successful development of the 180 acre Colorado Science + Technology Park, which is adjacent to the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.

Steve Hogan, Mayor of the City of Aurora and FRA Board member stated, “Steve is the partner we need to fulfill the promise of the bioscience industry park. His working relationships span nationally and internationally, which will be a great advantage for us.”

Steve VanNurden is currently Chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures, the invention arm for Mayo Clinic. Under Mr. VanNurden’s direction, this division is responsible for patenting and commercializing Mayo’s discoveries, inventions and other intellectual property. Since 1986, Mayo Clinic Ventures has successfully commercialized over 2,000 technologies and has been granted more than 1,200 patents. Under the guidance of Mr. VanNurden, Mayo’s technology based ventures efforts have paid off, resulting in the formation of 45+ Mayo Clinic start-up companies.

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

Link to the PR Newswire Release

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

'Fish farm near Albany [Indiana] becomes world leader' (via Muncie Free Press)

Quoting from an article by Rick Yencer in the Muncie Free Press:

"Delaware County Commissioners did their part for the growing enterprise that began in Redkey in 2005 with just a few thousand fish by approving a $16.6 million economic development revenue bond for infrastructure and wastewater work on Monday. That bond is no obligation on county government and is repaid by investors purchasing the issue. An EDC bond is a tool used by local government to promote development and jobs.

Commissioners President Todd Donati called the project more good news on the economic development front at a time the community had thousands out of work and few good paying jobs outside of higher education and health care...

Bell has an impressive list of food distributors like Cisco, Piazza and Indianapolis Fruit, adding many restaurants also use the trade mark Bell Perch that is a higher quality with a controlled water supply and no contamination with in house production. And its partners include the Indiana Soybean Alliance and The Conservation Fund.

The fish farms are driven by water wells and all wastewater is treated at the site, Much of the money will be spent on wastewater treatment and facilities and the entire project should be finished by 2016."

Link to the Muncie Free Press article

Pictured above is Bell's recently complete Row 3 expansion - to learn more details, read:

(from June 5, 2011): Bell Aquaculture Breaks Ground On $5 Million Expansion At Nation's Largest Yellow Perch Fish Farm In Indiana

(from January 25, 2012) Bell Aquaculture Teams with Indiana Soybean Alliance, Virginia Cobia Farms and The Conservation Fund's Freshwater Institute

Muncie Star Press: Delaware County Commissioners Approve Eco Devo Revenue Bonds For Bell Aquaculture

Quoting from the Muncie Star Press article by Keith Roysdon, business editor for the Gannett affiliate:

"Also Monday, the commissioners approved economic development revenue bonds for Bell Aquaculture, which has an Albany-area fish growing operation.

Terry Murphy of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance said Bell, which also has a facility in Redkey, will expand to increase its production of yellow perch for the food industry from 3 million to 6 million a year.

The $16.6 million in revenue bonds -- backed by a letter of credit -- carry no risk to the county, Murphy said."

Link to thestarpress.com article (see page 2 of posting)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Denver Post YourHub: 'Parker Girl Scout troop helps cat food bank' at Denver's Cat Care Society

Quoting from the Parker, CO, YourHub:

"A Parker Girl Scout Troop’s journey of discovering about animals led to the girls making toys and dropping off supplies for Cat Care Society’s Nibbles & Kibbles Cat Food Bank in [Lakewood].

The food bank serves food and cat litter to cats whose owners cannot provide food and litter because of a temporary financial setback. The 10 girls of Troop 624 made cat toys using socks and catnip and collected food and cat litter.

'We want the girls to understand that not all animals have it as nice as theirs do,' said Mary Tate, troop leader. 'There’s a lot of cats out there that don’t have that and the Cat Care Society really works with people who can’t afford to feed their animals.'"

Photo ID: "Caitlin Tate, in purple, and India Choudhury helped deliver cat supplies and food to Cat Care Society's Nibbles & Kibbles Cat Food Bank (courtesy Mary Tate)."

Friday, March 2, 2012

UWM Research Report: 'Fish farming's future'


Quoting from the article in UWM's 2012 Research Report:
"When operators of Bell Aquaculture decided to add yellow perch, the Midwest’s fish-fry favorite, to the company’s product line, they initially came up empty-handed.

'We went looking for the fingerlings on the marketand we couldn’t find them,' says Bell President Norman McCowan. 'So we knew early on we would have to partner with someone.'

They chose wisely. In Fred Binkowski, they found an aquaculture specialist who offered perch-raising techniques available nowhere else in the world. Today, Bell Aquaculture runs the nation’s largest yellow perch farm and is in the middle of an expansion of its perch enterprise."

Needed at Cat Care Society: laundry detergent (plus more cat and kitten food for our hungry little guys!)

Cat Care Society's Adoption Manager Abbi Collins thanks everyone who has been bringing in canned cat and kitten food. She says..."we still need more for our kitties if possible," plus, she adds, "We also need laundry detergent as well, for those coming by the shelter." Hours today (Friday) are noon to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.; and we're closed Monday (Tuesday through Friday hours are noon to 5:30). "Thank you for all your generous donations of much needs supplies at the shelter!"

Link to the Wish List page of the Cat Care Society website

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Handsome Jabberwocky: Today's 9News Petline9 Guest Cat..Awaiting His Forever Home at Cat Care Society in Lakewood

Jabberwocky appeared on Petline9 this afternoon with Meteorologist Kathy Sabine and Cat Care Society's Director of Development Suellen Scott.

He is named for the Lewis Carroll book but definitely not a dragon, has long hair white, is very affectionate, loves to pad and purr, sit on your lap and be brushed.

A neutered 8-year-old male, Jabberwocky is current on all shots, micro chipped, and a very healthy 16 ½ pounds. He likes to be up high observing from above, it makes him feel safe.

He's waiting for his "forever" home at Cat Care Society in Lakewood. Check out more photos:


http://youtu.be/pa2pMFGfmjw