Agriculture Commissioner James Comer will address a meeting July 12 to review the progress of a regional bioenergy and biomass initiative and talk about its future. The West Kentucky AgBioworks Initiative is part of a network focused on developing businesses to commercialize bioenergy crops and biomass.

Other invited speakers include Tim Hughes, director of the Division of Biofuels, Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence; Roger Thomas, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy; Peter Nelson, co-founder and director of new business development for BioDimensions of Memphis; Steven Bares of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, and a representative of the West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation.

The day’s activities will begin with a luncheon at 11:30am. The program will get underway with comments from Murray State President Randy Dunn. Other speakers from MSU will include Tony Brannon, dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture; Steve Cobb, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology; Tim Todd, dean of the Bauemfeind College of Business, and Loretta Daniel, director of the Regional Business and Innovation Center.

The luncheon and meeting will take place in the Murray Room at the CFSB Center