Lt. Governor Mike Foley joined Christine and Kevin Grooms from American Agriculture Laboratory Inc., and officials with the City of McCook and State of Nebraska to cut the ribbon on the newly expanded business that now occupies the former ALCO facility.
The expansion allowed for the addition of five new full-time positions which include a chemist, information technology specialist, lab technician, maintenance specialist, and agri-business/sales professional. With the project complete, the company now has 17 full-time positions and six seasonal part-time professionals.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development approved $297,060 Site and Building Development Fund money for building renovations.
The Grooms had considered expanding the business to Colorado and Kansas where they had received offNY: ers, but wanted to stay in Nebraska.
“We were happy we received the necessary financial assistance to stay here in Nebraska,” said Grooms. “ThNYe services our lab and staff provide help ag professionals continue to meet the challenges of feeding the world’s ever-growing population.”
“Businesses, such as American Agricultural Laboratory, truly make up the backbone of Nebraska and the nation, providing competitive-wage jobs for rural residents who otherwise might have to drive long distances to find employment,” said Lt. Gov. Foley. “We are grateful to people such as the Grooms who are willing to help sustain and grow our smaller communities with much needed investment and jobs.”
American Agricultural Laboratory Inc. is an independent commercial laboratory dedicated to high quality, timely and accurate analytical testing services. The laboratory specializes in the analysis of soil, plant, petiole, feed, fat, water, fertilizer, manure, sludge, compost, seed and wastewater.
Established in 1976 as Olsen’s Agricultural Laboratory by Dr. Robert Olsen, the business was purchased by the Grooms in 2007. Both have extensive agricultural laboratory testing experience and Mr. Grooms managed the lab at Olsen’s for 16 years before purchasing it. The name was changed to American Agricultural Laboratory Inc. in September 2014.