Two businesses and one community served by NPPD or a wholesale partner received high accolades from state officials for their commitment to economic growth in Nebraska.
Vireo Resources and Monolith Materials were named Businesses of the Year for 2021, and the city of Laurel was named Nebraska’s 2021 Community of the Year at a banquet in Kearney on August 3 prior to a high-level summit on agriculture and economic development.
The banquet was hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats, the state’s largest economic development organization with a membership of more than 250 business executives and community leaders.
Vireo Resources, in Plattsmouth, produces nutraceuticals for human and animal health. Vireo is constructing a new 32,000 square foot facility alongside its existing plant to become the first U.S. producer of the nutritional supplement creatine. Its expansion is slated to create 30 jobs when the facility is up and running in 2022. The city of Plattsmouth is an NPPD retail community.
Monolith Materials is a next-generation chemical and energy company developing economically sustainable, technology-forward ways to make everyday products cleaner. Monolith uses renewable electricity to transform natural gas into vital materials, including carbon black and hydrogen, that are needed for a wide range of applications and industries. Earlier this year, NPPD and Monolith announced the signing of a letter of intent outlining the companies intentions to procure enough renewable energy resources to generate two million megawatt-hours annually in order to facilitate Monolith’s proposed $1 billion expansion of its Olive Creek facility (OC2) near Hallam, Neb. Power to the facility will be delivered by Norris Public Power District in Beatrice, a wholesale customer of NPPD.
“Through historic floods and a once-in-a-generation pandemic, the Good Life has continued to grow due to the grit and resilience of our people,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts at the banquet. “Thank you to the Nebraska Diplomats, economic development leaders across the state, and everyone in our ag community for your ongoing work to create great opportunities for Nebraskans.”
“High-growth manufacturers like Monolith Materials and Vireo Resources are part of the fabric of our state, creating the jobs and careers that allow families to thrive in our economy,” said Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Anthony L. Goins. “We congratulate these firms for their ongoing innovation and expansion, and look forward to seeing them continue to grow alongside our communities.”
Laurel was honored as Nebraska’s 2021 Community of the Year. A thriving and progressive farming community, it is located in the southeast corner of Cedar County, in northeast Nebraska.
“Laurel is home to nearly 1,000 residents who work together to bring out the best in their community and create the Good Life that Nebraska is known for,” said Nebraska Diplomats President Tim O’Brien. “Tonight we are proud to present them with the Community of the Year award for 2021.”
Laurel is served electrically by Cedar Knox Public Power District, a wholesale customer of NPPD.