Nebraska Industrial Overview - Spring 2008
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Monsanto to Invest $155 Million in Nebraska
Ground was broken in March on Monsanto’s new DEKALB seed production facility to be located on 145 acres of land outside of Waco and served by Perennial Public Power District. The state-of-the-art facility will feature more than 230,000 square feet of warehouse space, bulk storage, three high-capacity seed dryers, green corn receiving lines, and a 180 foot tall conditioning tower which can package approximately 1,200 units of seed per hour. Monsanto, investing $155 million, will also expand their facility in Kearney, doubling corn seed production in Nebraska. These expansions are expected to create more than 55 new full-time jobs and nearly 2,000 part-time positions.
The Kearney facility, served by Nebraska Public Power District, will add one new high-capacity dryer, green corn receiving line, bulk storage, and an additional 60,000 square feet of warehouse space. The new additions to the Kearney facility, located on 42 acres, are estimated to boost overall production by more than 30 percent.
“Expanding production capacity in Nebraska is essential in continuing to meet the growing demand for our DEKALB brand corn seed products throughout the Western Corn Belt,” said Mark Leidy, executive vice president of manufacturing for Monsanto Company. “This new, state-of-the-art facility will help us meet the growing demand for our products and offer good jobs for residents in the community,” Leidy said.
“Monsanto is another great example of our Nebraska Advantage jobs creation package at work in rural Nebraska,” said Governor Dave Heineman. “This is a very important project for the state, Waco, and York County,” he said, noting that many different entities, including the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Public Power District, the York County Development Corporation, and others were involved in making this project move along through their assistance to Monsanto. “This doesn’t happen without a team effort—and this is part of our work with the Nebraska Advantage Act. We’re seeing the benefit of that today.”
Call Center Picks Columbus
In February Apogee Retail LLC announced plans to open a 35,000-square-foot outbound call center in Columbus. The center will initially contain 150 seats and employ 250–300 full- and part-time people with growth potential of up to 350–400 seats and 600–800 employees. The company’s initial investment is estimated at $3.6 million. Loup Power District will supply their electrical needs.
“It was the people and opportunities presented that attracted our business to Columbus,” said David Kloeber, CEO of Apogee Retail. “Their vision and our vision matched up very nicely. The city of Columbus has a lot to offer and we feel we can bring a lot to the city at the same time,” he said.
“I am happy with Apogee Retail’s decision and confident in the community to support its endeavor,” said Mayor Mike Moser. “This is a victory for Columbus,” said David Bell, co-chairman of the Columbus Economic Council. “This will be good for Columbus and area towns by providing employment opportunities.”
E Energy Adams Begins Production Near Adams
E Energy Adams announced in November 2007 that production has begun at their ethanol plant near Adams. The plant, served by Norris Public Power District, started receiving corn from elevators and area producers in September. Each day approximately 55,000 bushels of corn are used to produce 150,000 gallons of ethanol. Annual production is expected to be 60 million gallons, using 19 million bushels of corn. In addition to ethanol, the plant will also produce 160,000 tons of distillers grains for sale to local and regional markets.
“This start-up represents the culmination of efforts going back to early 2005,” said Jack L. Alderman, E Energy Adams founder. “Our board of directors, the local community, and the state of Nebraska have all been critical contributors to our success,” Alderman said.
“I applaud all those who’ve had a hand in getting this plant up and running,” said Governor Dave Heineman. “The fact that the E Energy Adams plant is ready to start production is good news for the local community.”
Major Expansion in Kearney Announced by Baldwin Filters
Baldwin Filters, a CLARCOR company, announced in January a $20 million expansion to their Kearney plant, with construction to start within the next 12 months. More than 300,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution space will be added. This expansion will create an additional 50 jobs during the next five years and will bring total employment to 900 in Kearney. This plant, served by Nebraska Public Power District, also serves as the corporate headquarters of the company, which started in Kearney in 1936.
Baldwin Filters offers more than 6,000 filter part numbers—the most comprehensive product line in the industry. This gives the company the ability to provide in-depth coverage for all types of heavy-duty equipment in primary markets.
“Kearney is excited Baldwin Filters has decided to expand,” said Stan Clouse, mayor of Kearney. “We take tremendous pride in Baldwin Filters and we intend to take very good care of them as we do with all of our primary employers in Kearney. I want to commend the work of the city staff, the Buffalo County Economic Development Council, Nebraska Public Power District, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and our partners at Buffalo County and acknowledge that this project could not have happened without their assistance,” Clouse concluded.
Siouxland Region Ranks #1 in Nation for Economic Development
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According to results released by Site Selection magazine, the Siouxland Region won the 2007 economic development competition for communities with populations between 50,000 and 200,000 people. Siouxland led its population category with 23 qualified projects. “The Sioux City metro area’s eight project lead proves the economic development strategy in place is highly effective. Clearly, the region has the workforce, infrastructure and business climate required by industrial site seekers,” said Mark Arend, editor in chief of Site Selection.
The Sioux City Metropolitan Statistical Area includes the Nebraska counties of Dakota and Dixon as well as Woodbury County in Iowa and Union County in South Dakota. Successful projects can be attributed to the $400 million expansion by Beef Products Inc. in Dakota City, a $40-million Specialty Protein Products organic soybean processing plant in South Sioux City, and an $85 million ethanol plant operating near Jackson, Nebraska.
“We have some of the hardest working and most dedicated people in the country and this ranking, in many respects, is a tribute to the work ethic, education, and productivity of our local employees,” said Debi Durham, president of The Siouxland Initiative.
“The City of South Sioux City is ecstatic about being selected as part of this prestigious award,” said Bob Giese, Mayor of South Sioux City.
Community Feature: Wayne, Nebraska
Wayne received its “Certified Nebraska Community” designation in January. This designation recognizes the community for being prepared for economic development. Wayne is the 17th Nebraska community to receive the certification from the Nebraska Diplomats.
“The city of Wayne has chosen a clear vision for its future by aggressively supporting and promoting economic development, said Dave Simonson, executive director of Wayne Area Economic Development, Inc. “The commitment made by Mayor Lois Shelton and the entire Wayne City Council shows that the city is posed for continued growth and economic prosperity.”
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in the Kardell Industrial Park in Wayne in November for a 20,000-square-foot speculative building to be constructed on 6.57 acres. This building, anticipated to be completed in September 2008, is available for prospective industries along with an adjacent 8.44-acre site and a 7,300 square-foot building. The building is partially funded by a $250,000 loan/grant.
Wayne, a college town and county seat of Wayne County, is located in northeast Nebraska, 51 miles southwest of Sioux City, Iowa, and 113 miles northwest of Omaha, Nebraska. Wayne is served by Nebraska Highways 15 and 35. The Wayne Municipal Airport has two paved and lighted runways (4,200 feet and 3,407 feet).
The city of Wayne, a wholesale power customer of Nebraska Public Power District, owns and operates its electric distribution system. Natural gas is supplied to the city by Aquila. The municipal water system is supplied by six wells with a maximum capacity of 6.4 million gallons, and the municipal sanitary sewerage system has a daily capacity of 0.8 million gallons. Qwest Communications is the local exchange carrier in the community.
Wayne State College plays an important role in the city. The college serves approximately 3,500 students and offers more than 70 non-teaching majors and minors plus 39 various teaching endorsements in four academic schools. Other major employers in the city include Great Dane Trailers, Heritage Homes of Nebraska, Pacific Coast Feather Company, NorthStar Services, and Providence Medical Center.
Learn more about the opportunities in this northeast Nebraska community by reading the 54-page Wayne Community Facts Book at sites.nppd.com. Or call David Simonson, Wayne Area Economic Development, Inc., at (402) 375-5405, or visit www.waedi.org.
