KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) In an effort to boost biotechnology in rural New Hampshire, the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship has announced the appointment of Katia Knight as its new director of Biotech Initiatives. Knight will be responsible for steering biotech development in the Monadnock Region and leading a national program aimed at expanding biotech opportunities in rural communities.

Knight’s role comes at a pivotal time for the Center, which has been actively nurturing biotech ventures since 2017 through its partnership with Keene State College, according to a news release. Originally launched as the Bionest incubator program, this collaboration has provided critical support to biotech entrepreneurs in southwest New Hampshire.”

Keene State College President Melinda Treadwell praised the ongoing partnership, noting the region’s potential as a hub for innovation. “Keene State College and Hannah Grimes Center have a strong track record of collaboration,” she said in the release. “Together, we can tap into emerging industries like biotech to create new opportunities for the area,” said Treadwell.

The appointment of Knight also aligns with the broader goals of the Center’s Radically Rural biotech (RRb) initiative, a national network funded by the Small Business Administration’s Growth Accelerator Fund competition. RRb aims to reshape the economic landscape of rural communities by fostering a local biotech sector—an area traditionally absent in such regions.

According to Julianna Dodson, executive director of the Hannah Grimes Center, the initiative is designed to transform how rural economies are perceived. “There’s often a misconception that rural areas are places of extraction. In reality, they can be powerhouses of innovation and sustainability,” said Dodson. She expressed confidence in Knight’s ability to drive the program forward, emphasizing the importance of cultivating local talent and leveraging regional assets.

The goals of RRb include attracting and retaining skilled workers, fostering entrepreneurship, and using local resources in innovative ways. By combining economic development with environmental stewardship, the initiative hopes to set a national example for sustainable rural biotech growth.

Knight, who moved to the Monadnock Region in 2021, brings a wealth of international experience to the position. Her background spans technology consulting, sustainability projects, and program management in countries such as England, Canada, Thailand, and Ethiopia. Holding advanced degrees in regenerative economics and social anthropology, Knight is eager to bring fresh ideas to the local biotech landscape.

“This is an exciting opportunity to challenge conventional wisdom about what’s possible in rural biotech,” said Knight. “The Monadnock Region is perfectly positioned to become a model for inclusive biotech innovation. With its history of collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit, we have all the ingredients to build something truly transformative.”

As the Hannah Grimes Center charts its course under Knight’s leadership, the future looks promising for biotech entrepreneurs in the region. The Center’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening rural economies remains unwavering, ensuring that southwest New Hampshire continues to lead the way in rural entrepreneurship.

For more information about the Hannah Grimes Center and its programs, visit www.HannahGrimes.com.