A new pilot program from the Nebraska Department of Labor is providing $250,000 in grants to manufacturing businesses in the state.
The department announced earlier this week that it has chosen five businesses to receive the new manufacturing modernization and workforce development grant.
Each business will receive matching grants of up to $50,000 to help in adopting advanced technology to improve productivity and competitiveness.
“I am so impressed with the commitment from businesses across the state to utilizing technology in ways that will grow and sustain their companies while also providing new employment opportunities,” Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber said in a news release.
Distar Industries in Columbus plans to purchase robotic welding systems to improve productivity. The technology aims to let workers focus on more complex projects.
Aurora Boardworks in Aurora creates custom electronic printed circuit boards. It plans to purchase a 3-D solder paste inspection machine and a 3-D automated optical inspection machine. To help meet increasing customer demand, it also plans to hire two additional people.
FabriPlas Metal in Bennet creates decorative deck panels, ornamental fencing and other products. With the grant, it will build a plasma cutting machine and hire an administrative assistant and a painter/welder.
Lincoln Tool and Design Co. in Lincoln will add a robotic welding cell to increase and modernize welding efficiency and productivity, which it projects will increase revenue by $50,000 to $250,000.
Another Lincoln business, Saro Cider, will install a tunnel pasteurizer for canned beverages. The pasteurizer will increase the speed of packaging, improve product quality and increase capacity.
To apply for the grant, businesses had to be operating for at least three years, make 51% of their revenue from manufactured goods and have a minimum of three full-time employees. The department said it received 54 applications.