Area Development
Biomaterials manufacturing firm Lifecore Biomedical will invest $18 million and create 68 jobs in an expansion of its facilities in Chaska, Minnesota.

The company said it plans to expand an existing facility at 3515 Lyman Blvd. by 25,000 square feet to create room for a medical manufacturing cleanroom and quality control laboratory. The new jobs, which will be created within three years, will pay an average hourly wage of $27.17.

As an incentive, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is assisting the expansion with $834,000 from the Job Creation Fund. The company will receive the funding once it meets investment and hiring commitments.

Lifecore President Larry Hiebert stated, “We are excited about the continued growth of our business within the Chaska community, which started over 25 years ago, and are greatly honored by the support from DEED.”

Lifecore Biomedical, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landec Corporation, was founded in 1965 and manufactures hyaluronan and other biomaterials into finished aseptically filled dose products for various medical applications, including ophthamology, orthopedics, oncology and veterinary markets.

“Congratulations to Lifecore Biomedical on their expansion and continued success. Great companies like Lifecore are strengthening Minnesota’s already robust bioscience industry,” said Lt. Gov. Tina Smith. “Minnesota’s Job Creation Fund is showing how business and government can work together to support jobs and economic growth.”