MUSCATINE, Iowa (September 3, 2018) – Kent Corporation has opened the Kent
Innovation Center on the Research Park campus of Iowa State University (ISU) in
Ames, Iowa.
Kent Corporation is a recognized innovation leader in the ever-changing world of
agriculture, food, feed, and bioscience.
“This new Innovation Center will grow and strengthen our relationship with Iowa
State University as we apply cutting edge research to our focus in agriculture, food,
feed, and biosciences for people, pets, and livestock,” said Gage Kent, CEO and
Chairman of Kent Corporation.
With the opening of the Kent Innovation Center, Kent is expanding its partnership
with ISU. In September 2017, Kent Corporation made an $8 million commitment to
the new Grain Science and Feed Mill facility. Kent believes the opportunities for
graduating outstanding talent from these programs along with the opportunity for
professional development of existing Kent employees and other Ag businesses will
strengthen and enhance the future for the entire agriculture industry.
Kent Corporation employs a strong internship program and will now be able to
expand these opportunities for ISU students by offering a multi-semester internship
program throughout the calendar year for most majors at ISU. In addition, by joining
the Research Park, Kent will be able to develop new and exciting efforts on
innovation and collaboration with more than 90 Iowa companies of all sizes including
emerging start-up businesses. Kent Corporation formed the Enterprise Innovation
group in 2017 with a focus on identifying long term growth areas. The new
Innovation Center in Ames is part of the outreach program to collaborate with
universities, research teams, and thought leaders throughout the world.
Jeff Underwood, Vice President, Enterprise Innovation, will manage the new Kent
Innovation Center. Underwood has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical
Engineering from ISU and has been an active alumnus for many years. He is also a
member of the Cultivation Corridor AgriTech Accelerator Board, Advisor to the ISU
Startup Factory and member of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Jeff and his
family have relocated to Ames, Iowa.
To learn more about Kent Corporation, please visit https://kentww.com