When CSL Ltd., an Australia-based animal pharmaceutical manufacturer, first decided to enter the United States in 1998, it purchased Biocor, an Omaha-based manufacturer of pet and livestock vaccines.

Now the company will expand its presence in the United States by building a new production plant for livestock vaccines and moving its international headquarters for its animal health division from Australia to Omaha.

The total project will cost $10 million, and is expected to be complete near the end of this year.

"For us to grow any bigger, we had to come to the United States, and what better place to start than in the heart of cattle country?" said John Kenney, senior vice president of CSL. "A lot of other livestock vaccine manufacturers are in the Midwest too and the universities in the Midwest are very focused on livestock. So there's a pool of talent here we can draw on."

Workers at the 15,000 square foot production lab will specialize in vaccines for a cattle disease called leptospinosis.

Gallup expresses opinion for Omaha

The Gallup Organization earned its worldwide reputation by asking people their opinions on a variety of subjects. Late last year, the company expressed an opinion of its own - that Omaha, Neb., would be a great place for its expansion.

Gallup, which also offers management training services, employs 120 people in an office in West Omaha, and recently drew up plans to expand into a new building overlooking the Missouri River. The company's Omaha work force is expected to grow to as many as 700 people when the new riverfront facility opens for business in summer 2003.

In Wal-Mart's opinion, North Platte is another great place to do business. The giant discount retailer chose a site in North Platte for an 880,000 square foot distribution center. The company will use the facility to distribute grocery items to all Wal-Mart stores within a 300-mile radius of North Platte.

New program appeals to Union Pacific

Thanks to Nebraska' state legislature, the state's tax system just got more attractive to businesses. The legislature recently passed the Invest Nebraska Act, which gives tax credits to qualifying businesses that will use the extra money for training, employee benefits, and company work force safety programs.

Union Pacific cited the Invest Nebraska Act as a key reason why the company is building a new corporate headquarters in downtown Omaha. One of the best things about the new legislation, however, is that small companies benefit as much as large ones.

Companies that invest at least $10 million and create 25 new jobs in rural communities can qualify.

Nebraska is also offering companies another incentive, this one in the form of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The city of Ogallala is using a $305,000 state-provided CDBG to help AM/FM Systems Inc. expand.

The company develops digital automation software and systems. It will use the CDBG, plus $600,000 from the city of Ogallala, to add onto its manufacturing facility, hire 10 new workers, and purchase new machinery

and equipment.

Thomas County is using a $104,500 state-funded CDBG to help Pearson Livestock Equipment improve its operations and maintain 13 employees. The company manufactures cattle-handling equipment. Its new facility will provide additional manufacturing space.

Another CDBG will help Rowse Hydraulic Rakes Co. Inc. expand in O'Neill. The state will provide a $147,750 grant to R&D Manufacturing to purchase and rehabilitate a 50,000 square foot facility that the company will then lease to Rowse. Rowse manufactures spring rakes and other agricultural equipment.

Among other companies benefiting from CDBGs are TTS Marketing, a 50-seat call center in Ord; and Timber Creek Homes Inc., a modular home manufacturer in Stratton.

Kawasaki grows in Lincoln

Last year, Kawasaki Manufacturing announced it would invest $50 million and employ 300 people at a light rail subway car manufacturing facility in Lincoln. Duncan Aviation is investing $14 million and hiring 200 new employees for a hangar and service center facility in Lincoln.