WOOSTER -- It was nearly 10 years ago that local officials began kicking around the idea of establishing a research park to find practical applications for the ongoing studies at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

On Monday, with a 500,000 gallon anaerobic digester tank serving as the backdrop, the first on-site business venture at the BioHio Research Park became a reality.

Representatives from Quasar Energy Group, formerly Schmack BioEnergy, unveiled their new operation on the north side of Secrest Road, which essentially converts animal waste and other feed byproducts into electricity.

"We're not just building a digester, we're building an industry," said Quasar president Mel Kurtz. "The opportunities for employment are limitless. What you see here is the future of ag. There are a lot of students out here who want to be involved with agriculture. The next step for those people is to find out about renewable energy. The whole industry, it's something we have to do correctly, because we're not going to get the chance to do it again."

Clemens Halene, Quasar's vice president of engineering, said the facility, dubbed the "ecoFARMsystem 550," will utilize about 25,000 tons of waste per year and can produce 485 kw per hour, or about one-third of the electricity needed to run the OARDC campus.

Halene said 98 percent of the feed stock and waste will come from farms within a 50-mile radius of Secrest Road.

The hallmark of the site is the 45-foot-tall digester tank, which will burn the methane gas emitted from things like wastewater treatment sludge, manure and compost to create electricity.

While Quasar is building other digesters around the state and country, the Wooster facility will be tied in with OARDC and will serve as the company's "guinea pig," according to Halene, as they'll work to develop new types of feed stock for the process.

Kurtz said Quasar will actually be teaching classes on the digestion process at the Ohio Agricultural Technical Institute.

State and local officials were present for the company's big day, including Ohio first lady Frances Strickland and former Cleveland Browns coach Sam Rutigliano, a close friend of Kurtz.

"They're a perfect example of everything we've been trying to say is the potential for ag biosciences," said Rod Crider, president of the Wayne Economic Development Council. "You take a product that originates from the farm and turn it into something of a higher value. There's a whole continuum there from production all the way to alternative energy with economic development points along the way. ... Plus, there's the potential for manufacturing parts, which is the Holy Grail for what we want to see here, especially in the metals industry, where we have so much local expertise here. This is a good fit across the spectrum."

Robert Boggs, Ohio Director of Agriculture, said, "This project validates what we've been saying for a number of years in Ohio -- that we can rebuild our economy by the use of bio ag products, research and development. ... This isn't the time to be unsure of ourselves. It's a time to be aggressive, to be opportunistic and to be bodacious."

The $3 million facility was funded, in part, from more than $1 million in grants from the Ohio Department of Development and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Halene said the post-production waste will be handled in two methods. Those solids will be turned over to compost and the liquids will be used by local farmers as a fertilizer alternative. The liquids will be "stored in a nearby lagoon or directly land-applied," Halene said.

Mayor Bob Breneman said the synergy created by the park and OARDC, encompassing agriculture, education and industry, is something that defines Wooster.

"It's definitely exciting times in our town because of the new development happening in what we believe will be the first part of BioHio, which we hope is something that will be world renowned by the time we're done building buildings," Breneman said.

Congressman John Boccieri, D-Alliance, referenced the 1985 Michael J. Fox film "Back to the Future," specifically one scene in which trash is used to fuel vehicles.

"The cheapest energy is the energy we never use," Boccieri said. "There's a scene in Back to the Future where the professor pulls up into (Fox's) front yard, opens up a trash can and starts jamming waste into his DeLorean. Those days aren't in the future anymore. Those days are today."

State Rep. Ron Amstutz added, "This industry is a little more developed than others that are out there, but this is a good example of what can be done and why they wanted to put this unit here. It's a good thing for everybody."

Halene said he expects the facility to be completely online by February.

Reporter Bryan Schaaf can be reached at 330-287-1645 or e-mail bschaaf@the-daily-record.com.