The Biofuel Regional Readiness for Industry (“B-RREADI”) America Challenge

The Challenge

Driving biomanufacturing & rural prosperity in America.

Turning local resources into jobs

The B-RREADI America Challenge will help communities turn their local biomass resources into jobs. In just a few short years, BDO Zone Ratings have already lined up over $4 billion in new biofuel projects, with another $30 billion in the pipeline. Now, through the B-RREADI America Challenge, communities have the chance to win awards that bring this proven tool to their own region.

Empowering communities

The B-RREADI America Challenge provides awards that fund and promote independent BDO Zone Ratings — market-based economic development instruments that prove a community’s readiness for biomanufacturing. With these ratings, communities gain the visibility and credibility to attract new projects, global investors, and long-term partners from across the globe.

Why it matters

Farmers, forestry communities, and cooperatives are sitting on untapped potential. Every year, crop residues and forest byproducts go underutilized while industries seek reliable, low-carbon feedstocks. BDO Zone Ratings close that gap, showing the world that American communities are project-ready, investment-ready, and ready to lead with new biomanufacturing.

Building a national network

The recognized best place in the world for biomanufacturing.

By building a national network of project-ready communities, the B-RREADI America Challenge makes the United States the recognized best place in the world to grow new biomanufacturing projects.

For the communities that earn a rating, the benefits are concrete:

Rural economic prosperity

Ratings attract developers to rural regions and create jobs where new biobased plants are built.

New market opportunities

A new, stable market and predictable prices for the farmers and foresters who supply the feedstock.

Confidence for investors

Independent, investment-grade ratings de-risk feedstock supply and unlock the capital that moves projects forward.

Eligibility

Who can apply, and what awardees receive.

Eligible lead applicants

Lead applicants must be U.S. entities representing a community with biomass resources:

Local governments

Cooperatives

Tribes and tribal enterprises

Public or nonprofit utilities and development authorities

Accredited higher-education institutions

501(c)(3) / (6) nonprofits focused on economic development or the bioeconomy

Key requirements

Apply individually — though partnerships are welcome
Maintain a physical location in the target area
Demonstrate the capacity to convene key stakeholders
One application per geography (adjacent jurisdictions may apply jointly)

What awardees get

Technical support to assess biomass resources and supply chains
A formal BDO Zone Rating with analytics and investment briefs
Two years of promotional support across industry publications reaching over 350 project developers globally

Expected commitments

Provide support letters from biomass sources
Appoint a local coordinator and subject-matter experts
Participate in 3–5 structured workshops
Meet data submission deadlines

Driving biomanufacturing and rural prosperity in America.

Tell us about your community and we’ll walk you through the B-RREADI America Challenge.