Pilot plant at CATI ... here's the rest of the story

Earlier today, we wrote about the new R&D pilot plant being constructed within the existing CATI building to produce a healthy milk product without cholesterol called Benelact.

Well, as Paul Harvey might have said, here's the rest of the story... the way this project touches area high schoolers, collegians and even Girl Scouts.

The project is loaded with academic linkages -- opportunities for students throughout the area to learn, work and participate in the creation of this new product. Alliance Enterprises, the company creating this start-up, sees its $1.5 million project both as an exciting new business, and as a way "to work in our values and give back to the community," said Brandon Malacara, Alliance's dairy division marketing director.

And so, Alliance is working with Therese Fellner, Gateway Technical College's director of business development -- she's the on-site manager for the business incubator that's part of CATI -- to find ways to provide both professional employment and student employment as part of the project. And boy, have they come up with a bunch of opportunities across a wide spectrum! For example:

Burlington High School has an R&D chemistry class that creates personal care products. Fellner already has spoken with Burlington's superintendent and principal to find ways to get their students working in the plant, getting experience with R&D and perhaps getting school credit at the same time.

Burlington is a good match in another way: Alliance -- which is minority-owned by Edward Salinas -- can be a role model for the district's Hispanic students. "The superintendent sees this as an opportunity to get his Hispanic student population excited about science and math, get some experience and get some of those kids to start altering their course selection," Dr. Fellner said.

Gateway Technical College has a culinary arts program, and the aim is to get students involved in nutrition to work on R&D and marketing -- with both internships and jobs.

Carthage and Parkside have chemistry departments that may be a source of chemistry assistants as well as a chemist with gas chromatography and sample preparation experience.

Even Girl Scouts may be involved as this patent given to CATI by Kraft is developed for market. Fellner has applied for a grant through the General Mills Foundation's Champions for Healthy Kids project. They fund organizations with innovative programs that help youth develop good nutrition and fitness habits. "We're working with the Girl Scouts of Southeast Wisconsin, Gateway and Parkside in proposing that girls 11-14 deliver a program that will focus on nutrition and health and this innovative technology. Alliance would be able to come in and provide experience and products, menu planning and taste tests."

Fellner also said the Humana Foundation is interested in funding organizations that promote new technology and tools that lead to a healthier community. Alliance and Gateway will work with the Culinary Arts Department on the Racine campus to help them understand and use this new, lower-cholesterol product.

Matthew Wagner, CATI executive director, is looking forward to an expansion of programs for students in the natural sciences catalyzed by the Alliance project. "This is a chance to teach them about business and entrepreneurship, to create mentorships and project-based learning. So very many educational institutions are playing a role in this."

"We're all thrilled to have Alliance here," Fellner said. "This is an environment that facilitates this kind of networking.