The impact of manufacturing on Nebraska’s economy is being celebrated across the state during Manufacturing Month. Nearly one in ten Nebraskans (100,000+) are employed by one of the state’s 1,900 manufacturing firms. In fact, manufacturing employment has reached its highest point in more than ten years. Manufacturing adds $13 billion to the state’s annual Gross State Product and exports $6.48 billion per year.
From small towns to big cities, manufacturing impacts the daily lives of Nebraska residents while producing value-added food products, medical devices and supplies, biofuels, fabricated metal products and equipment and much more. The impact on rural communities is evidenced by the fact that manufacturing employment in non-metro Nebraska counties makes up 15.6% of the total non-farm employment.
Governor Pete Ricketts proclaimed October “Manufacturing Month” and celebrated with a multi-community tour with stops at several manufacturers. He also highlighted a number of manufacturing expansions across the state including many in Nebraska Public Power District’s service territory.
- Aulick Industries (Scottsbluff) – plans to add 30,000 square-foot building to ramp up production of truck chassis.
- Lindsay Corporation (Lindsay) – has announced a multi-million dollar investment in a 32,000 square-foot building to manufacture lining for pipe for its irrigation products.
- Allmand Inc. (Holdrege) – broke ground this spring on a plant expansion that will add 20 jobs. The company produces light towers, generators, compressors, heaters and portable lights.
- BD (Columbus) – currently building a $60 million manufacturing facility at one of its two Columbus locations. When operational in 2021 the plastic molding plant will produce vials, syringe caps, and other plastic components used in the medical field.
- Timpte Inc. (David City) – the truck trailer manufacturer is expanding its long-time presence in the community with a new research and development center and manufacturing plant expansion.
- Darling Ingredients (Wahoo) – recently opened its first poultry only protein conversion facility in Nebraska coming on the heels of a completely new red meat conversion facility with a total site investment of approximately $50 million.
Nebraska Public Power District is proud to serve the diverse manufacturing base that exists across Nebraska.