Chapter 4: The $100 Million Roadblock
Dr. Ana Chavez, her signature red safety glasses now pushed up into her hair, stood beside Leo in the pristine new conference room of the regional polyol processing hub. The celebration from their successful foam test was officially over.
The CEO, Ms. Henderson, slid a thick document across the polished table. "The good news is simple, Dr. Chavez: Your foam beats the industry standard. The bad news? This conversion will cost over $100 million upfront, and we can’t get the capital."
Leo pulled the bank rejection letter closer. "The banks are scared of the supply chain risk... The value is perfect, but the risk value is too high."
Dr. Chavez looked up from the map. "The clock is ticking, Leo." The whiteboard displayed DECISION POINT. "We promised the region MAG could help secure the next planting cycle... If we can't show a proven, high-quality sample in the next few weeks, the board will vote to switch to petroleum."
"We need outside capital that can de-risk the initial planting season for the farmers... We need a massive federal grant for innovative supply chains. I found one, but it requires a complete, costed farmer transition plan and economic model, signed off by a community development agency."
Ms. Henderson pointed to a line item: the application deadline was 48 hours away.
"We need the PECG Director, Dr. Chavez," Leo said, standing up. "The Plains Economic Catalyst Group. If we can build a verifiable economic model showing the regional job impact, they might sign off."
Dr. Chavez grabbed her laptop. "I'll handle the technical writing. You handle the economic reality. We have 48 hours to turn our lab success into a signed contract that saves the regional economy."
The science is proven, but the money is missing. With a major federal grant on the line, can Dr. Chavez and Leo convince the PECG Director to sign off on a risky new supply chain plan in less than two days, or will the $100 million dream dissolve into red tape?
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