Joining in the ceremony were Governor Dave Heineman, Vireo Resources President Mark Faulkner, Plattsmouth Mayor Paul Lambert, Dr. James Linder, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and President and CEO of UNeMed, Richard Baier, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Roger Wehrbein, Chairman of the Cass County Economic Development Commission, and Jason Sokolewicz, Economic Development Consultant with Nebraska Public Power District.

“The state’s biomedical industry is taking a significant forward with today’s groundbreaking,” said Gov. Heineman. “We are positioned to attract even more biomedical companies, with the added bonus of being able to offer development-ready technologies formulated right here at our exceptional university medical center.”

"I am particularly grateful to the Department of Economic Development. They worked with me for the better part of two years to find the right place and without their assistance, locating this plant in Nebraska wouldn't have happened," said Faulkner.

 “I’m delighted that the work of UNMC faculty has led to products that are being manufactured in Nebraska by Nebraskans,” said Dr. Linder. “The University of Nebraska can make important contributions to economic development through the commercialization of new inventions and technology.”

An additional 2,000-sq. ft. facility will feature climate-controlled storage for warehousing, order fulfillment, and distribution to serve Vireo Resource customers who require shipping to various domestic and international sites. The plant is expected to employ a minimum five full-time employees in the next year or so.

UNeMed licensed technology for the product in 2007 to Vireo Systems, Inc., of Madison, Tenn., Vireo Resources’ parent company, which makes raw materials for creams and powders to manufacture products for retail distribution and sale. However, the company has worked with UNMC for more than seven years and brought several UNMC research and product developments to market. The two currently have patents pending for several product formulations.