THIS EDA INVESTMENT SUPPORTS PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY WITH INITIATING A STUDY AND PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO ESTABLISH PLASTICS RECYCLING AND PROCESSING INDUSTRIES IN ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED REGIONS AND CREATING A WORKFORCE IN CRAWFORD COUNTY KANSAS. THE PROJECT WORK INCLUDES HIRING A CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT THE STUDY WITH ENGAGEMENT FROM UNIVERSITY FACULTY AND STAFF. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE U.S.-BASED TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS AND A SKILLED WORKFORCE NECESSARY TO ACTUALIZE A NEW GENERATION OF U.S.-BASED ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND IN SO DOING REVITALIZE THE ECONOMY OF RURAL KANSAS. ONCE COMPLETED THE PROJECT WILL HELP ENHANCE FUTURE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY THROUGHOUT THE REGION.