OMAHA, NEB. (May 11, 2007)—An estimated 200 Nebraska Diplomats and company, community and government officials celebrated attributes of the many businesses and industries that fuel Nebraska’s economy at the Diplomats’ Annual Business and Industry Recognition Day in Omaha today.

“A critical component in economic development is the nurturing and growth of our existing businesses,” said Roger Christianson, president, Nebraska Diplomats.  “Business and Industry Recognition Day is just one way the Nebraska Diplomats say thank you to companies for doing business in Nebraska, and for the jobs they provide and the important role they play in creating a vibrant economy in our communities and in our state.”

The day’s events got underway at 11 a.m. with the announcement of the 2006 Edgerton Quality Awards. The Edgerton Quality Award for Excellence went to St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island—the first hospital to ever earn the top award. Edgerton Quality Awards for Progress went to Nebraska Workforce Development, Nebraska Department of Labor in Lincoln (the first state agency to apply for and earn an award), Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, and The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The Edgerton Award for Commitment was bestowed on Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings.

Governor Dave Heineman welcomed guests during lunch and presented plaques to the Economic Development Certified Communities of North Platte, Nebraska City and Ogallala, and Diplomats President Roger Christianson presented the Diplomats President’s Awards to representatives of companies that call the Cargill Campus in Blair home—Cargill Sweeteners North America, Midwest Lysine, LLC, NatureWorks, LLC, and Cargill PGLA-1, to recognize their outstanding contributions to the economic base and stability of Blair, the greater Omaha area, and the state as a whole.

Cargill Sweeteners North America is one of the world’s leading producers of corn sweeteners, processing more than 200,000 bushels of corn daily with a goal of 300,000 bushels in the near future. Its high fructose corn syrup is used in soft drinks and other food and beverage applications. Other manufactured corn syrups, dextrose syrups and sucrose are used in confectionery, brewing, food and pharmaceutical applications. The company plans to open a 200 million gallon-per-year ethanol facility in Wood River, Neb., by 2008.

Midwest Lysine, LLC, a joint venture of Cargill and Degussa, receives the corn derivative dextrose from Cargill to produce Biolys 60, a premium form of feed-grade lysine added to hog and poultry livestock feed.
 
NatureWorks, LLC, is a stand alone entity owned by Cargill that creates polylactic acid, a polymer derived from dextrose it receives from Cargill. The polylactic acid is used to produce bio-degradable plastic resin that is woven into fibers or applied to the manufacture of rigid packaging and films, including containers for bakery, dairy, deli, meat, produce, disposable service ware, cold drink cups and cutlery; water, milk and juice bottles.

Cargill PGLA-1 is a joint venture partnership between Cargill and PURAC, a subsidiary of the Dutch food group CSM. PGLA-1 produces lactic acid for sale to its parent companies, including PURAC’s food and pharmaceutical business.

Following the awards presentation, attendees participated in bus site tours of Qwest, Gallup, the Mutual of Omaha Midtown Project, AkSarBen Project, and PKI. The day’s events ended with a networking reception at the Holland Arts Center.

For information about the Nebraska Diplomats Inc., visit: www.nediplomats.org

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Patty Wood at 800-426-6505, 402-471-1559, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lori Shaal at 800-426-6505, 402-471-4592, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it