novozymes investment in greater omaha nearly doubles original plan

Omaha, Neb., March 26, 2009 - A ground-breaking ceremony at the site of a new Novozymes facility on Tuesday, March 23, was the culmination of almost two years of work by the Chamber's Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. This project represents one of the most significant investments in the history of the Chamber's new business recruitment efforts. View news release.

The event featured the crown prince and princess of Denmark, the president of Denmark-based Novozymes U.S. operations and an announcement that the original investment of $80 million-$100 million would be increased to an estimated $160 million - $200 million. This increase will allow Novozymes to meet market demand for biofuel enzymes production in the coming years.

"This is exceptional news for the Greater Omaha area," said David G. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, "We started working on this project in July 2007 and thanks to the passion and commitment of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership in cooperation with the state of Nebraska, the city of Blair and Omaha Public Power District we've added a significant brand name to the list of green technology organizations in the area."

The project began in July 2007 when the Partnership was contacted by the state of Nebraska to complete a Belgium consulting firm's request for proposal on behalf of Novozymes. From that point on, the economic development engine of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership kicked into high gear and has been roaring ever since.

What started as a global site search, including the Americas and China, was narrowed over time to a shorter list including the states of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. In October 2007, the consultant and representatives from Novozymes came to Omaha to make the first of several site visits.

"After a second visit in January 2008, they told us we were off the list of considered locations. We wouldn't take 'no' for an answer," stated Paula Hazelwood, executive director of Gateway Development Corporation, the Washington County member organization of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, "We persisted, so they gave us another look, which ultimately led to successfully landing the project."

Between February and March 2008, countless calls, e-mails and presentations took place. From the governor's office down, incentives, site specifications, logistics and paperwork required to seal the deal were put together. During that same timeframe, several more visits included Novozymes engineering, human resources and site selection teams.

The result? In June 2008 the official announcement was made that Novozymes would build a facility in Blair, Neb. At that time, the total investment was estimated at $80 million - $100 million creating approximately 100 new jobs. Since then, the anticipated growth potential of first- and second-generation enzymes used in producing bioethanol, the products Novozymes will manufacture at the Blair plant, has boomed. As a result, Novozymes is building a much larger facility and has increased their investment to $160 million - $200 million.

With this announcement, Novozymes is on track to deliver the first commercially viable enzymes for the production of second-generation ethanol by 2010.