Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear congratulated Neogen Corp., a leading manufacturer of animal and food safety products, on the relocation and expansion of its Lexington operation, a $6 million investment creating over 70 full-time jobs and furthering the Governor’s initiative to grow Kentucky’s agritech sector.
“Agritech is a growing and thriving sector here in Kentucky, and companies like Neogen expanding their operations adds to that growth,” said Gov. Beshear. “This project not only expands our argitech sector, it also is helping to grow our manufacturing and food and beverage industries. Neogen has operated in the commonwealth for over 30 years, and I want to thank the company’s leadership for continuing to invest in the Lexington community and growing their presence here in Kentucky.”
The project is converting 20,000 square-feet of unutilized floorspace into IOS 8-level manufacturing space at 1847 Mercer Road in Lexington. The investment will include building improvements and manufacturing equipment. The project will initially generate 40 new jobs in Kentucky and at least an additional 30 jobs over the next two-and-a-half years.
Neogen has operated in Kentucky since locating in Lexington in 1992 with the acquisition of ELISA Technologies. ELISA was formed in 1990 through a license agreement with the University of Kentucky to develop diagnostic test kits to detect abused and therapeutic drugs in racehorses and greyhounds. Lexington serves as Neogen’s Animal Safety headquarters, which has grown to employ 220 residents across two Lexington facilities and one location in Mt. Sterling.
This announcement comes just three weeks after the company made public its plans to invest nearly $10 million in its Mt. Sterling facility, creating 79 full-time jobs.
In 2020, Neogen’s Lexington operations stepped up in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Neogen increased manufacturing and distribution of critically needed biosecurity products, including disinfectants, cleaners and hand sanitizers while working closely with government agencies around the world to quickly approve products for use.
“Over the last 30 years, Neogen and the Lexington community have built a strong relationship, and we are proud to be strengthening our connection to the area as we grow as a company,” said Doug Jones, Neogen’s chief operating officer. “Our Lexington expansion is another step in supporting both our domestic and international growth plans, ensuring that people and animals around the world have access to products and solutions that keep them safe and healthy.”
Neogen, founded in 1982, is headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. Its animal safety division manufactures and markets a variety of animal health products, including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, supplements, biologics, wound care, veterinary instruments, rodenticides, disinfectants and insecticides. The company employs more than 2,000 people worldwide, with 10 locations in the United States and 14 international facilities.
The expansion adds to Kentucky’s thriving food, beverage and agritech sector, which includes more than 200 agribusiness-related facilities and employs over 20,000 people statewide. Administration-to-date, new location and expansion projects within the industry are expected to create nearly 4,700 full-time jobs with over $4.5 billion in new investments.
The expansion also adds to the commonwealth’s manufacturing sector, which includes more than 5,000 facilities and employs over 250,000 people statewide. Administration-to-date, more than 550 new location and expansion projects within the industry are expected to create nearly 26,000 full-time jobs with over $18.6 billion in new investments.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton spoke about the high-quality jobs Neogen is providing in Lexington.
“Neogen has thrived in Lexington,” Mayor Gorton said. “The company provides high-quality jobs to our highly educated workforce. With our vibrant agriculture sector, and agriculture education and research at the University of Kentucky, Lexington is a natural home for agribusinesses.”
Commerce Lexington President and CEO Bob Quick expressed excitement for Neogen’s growth in agritech.
“Our economic development team has been proud to work with Neogen since they opened here in Lexington many years ago,” said Quick. “It’s been exciting to see Neogen’s continued growth as it strategically utilizes its partnership with the University of Kentucky, collaborates with businesses that align with its focus in agritech, and provides solutions and services for the food processing, animal protein and agriculture industries. Congratulations to Neogen Corp.”
Neogen’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.