Plattsmouth, Neb., Aug. 18, 2020 – Less than a week after the Nebraska Legislature announced LB 1107 (a multidimensional bill that includes a new business incentives program) had passed, Vireo Systems, Inc. unveiled plans to expand operations in Plattsmouth.
Vireo, headquartered near Nashville, Tenn., has had a Nebraska presence for more than a dozen years. Today’s announcement means “hundreds of jobs” at the organization’s third location in Cass County, according to Mark Faulkner, president, Vireo Systems.
“Each time the deciding factor in further expansion in Nebraska has been the incentive support the state has been able to offer as help to make the projects happen,” Faulkner said, adding he is “excited to continue a collaboration that means bringing holistic health products to more people using environmentally sound, authentic practices that fit well with Nebraska’s commitment to high ecological and economic standards.”
Founded in 2002, Vireo’s expansion is expected to add more than $20 million to the regional economy – and nearly 300 jobs – over the next three-to-five years.
“The new facility will greatly increase domestic manufacturing of some of our key raw materials that are at the heart of our innovative sports nutrition and immune support products,” Faulkner said, adding, “This current expansion sets the stage for two more planned expansions in the future that will continue to have more Nebraska products developed from Nebraska research done in partnership between Vireo and the University of Nebraska.”
Among other holistic products, Vireo manufactures CON-CRET in the sports nutrition category and pH-D Feminine Health Support in the yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis category. The organization will launch ProMera Health Immune Support in the vitamins/minerals/supplements category in September 2020.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a prime example of Nebraska’s spirit of partnership,” said Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. “Many hands worked together to make this day possible. Funding from Nebraska Advantage, Department of Transportation Economic Opportunity Program, Citizens State Bank, and local stakeholders provided momentum for this growth. Vireo’s expansion will create great-paying jobs for families in Plattsmouth and Cass County. We are thankful Vireo continues to call our state ‘home,’ and we look forward to continuing our relationship as Vireo builds for a healthy tomorrow.”
Jennifer Serkiz, executive director, Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council, said the expansion continues a tradition of Vireo balancing employee needs with organizational expertise.
“We’re grateful for Vireo’s partnership, and are delighted to celebrate this success with them. Their thoughtful approach to facilities management benefits workers and the community,” she said.
Economic developers say expanding in Eastern Nebraska makes sense. Case in point: The seven-county region representing the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership comprises 44 percent of the state’s population, and more than 60 percent of Nebraska’s economy.
“This is a premium location for expansion,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO Greater Omaha Chamber. “We are all buoyed by Vireo’s continued success, and congratulate them on their efforts.”
Recently named a “top 25 place for career opportunities in COVID-19 recession,” according to SmartAsset, Eastern Nebraska / Western Iowa has the skilled employees organizations need.
Faulkner says quality workforce was also a factor in his decision to expand in Plattsmouth.
“We are committed to hiring the best and the brightest – from researchers, to producers to leadership, ‘who we are’ is paramount to ‘what we do,’” he said.
Paul Lambert, mayor, Plattsmouth, agreed, “Our people are resilient, caring and eager to welcome new business. Vireo represents the kind of organization that gives back to community, while also producing results. It has been a wonderful partnership so far, and we are proud of Vireo’s growth.”
Lambert’s remarks were echoed by Erv Portis, Plattsmouth City Administrator. “We are committed to collaborating with organizations that strive for excellence, engagement and sustainable, well-intended results. We’re proud to count Vireo among those organizations.”
About Vireo Systems, Inc.
Taking inspiration for its name from one of the Latin words for “health,” Vireo Systems, Inc. is the manufacturer of a number of nutraceuticals and health support products including AminoActiv®, the No. 1 alternative to ibuprofen and NSAIDs. Vireo was founded in 2002 as part of a project with several university-based researchers, and today, the company’s products deliver safe, effective support for good health. Vireo meets industry-standard good manufacturing practices as expected by the FDA.
Vireo is headquartered just outside Nashville, Tenn., with additional facilities in Plattsmouth, Neb., where it manufactures a variety of holistic products for people and pets. Vireo is a certified SQF facility, the highest designation for quality products and processes.
About Greater Omaha
Greater Omaha is a No. 1 ranked up-and-coming-tech hotspot and Time magazine’s 2017 No. 3 Most Up-and-Coming City in America. Recognized for its “We Don’t Coast” attitude, and named America’s No. 2 Best Small City, Greater Omaha is home to more than 30 communities and nearly 1 million people, with a youthful population (more than 40 percent are age 24 or younger), low cost of living and steady economic growth that outpaces the nation. Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc. and Union Pacific – all Fortune 500 companies – call Greater Omaha “home.”