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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Midwest Hop Producers Plan Production-Processing Facility In Plattsmouth, Nebraska

08/20/2015
Nebraska Hop Yards has converted 3 acres of a form country club golf course into a hops yard, with plans for Midwest Hop Producers to build a new production and processing facility on the site in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

Bruce and Annette Wiles, Co-founders and Owners of Midwest Hop Producers, Nebraska Hop Yards and Midwest Hop Yard Supplies, will invest more than $3.5 million in site improvements, construction of the hops harvesting/drying and pelletizing facility and other buildings, and equipment. The project is expected to create as many as 20 jobs.

“Today Nebraska has a total of 15 acres of hops in production,” said Bruce Wiles. “Our goal is to establish 150 acres of hops in production during the next three to five years with the goal of providing hops for Nebraska brewers.”

We’re so excited to be playing a part in the growth of the hops industry in Nebraska,” said Annette Wiles. “Our intent is to create a business that supports the economy and creates more jobs in Nebraska.”

DED awarded Midwest Hop Yard Supplies a $50,000 prototype grant this past February to develop a marketable mobile hop harvester targeted at small- and mid-size hop growers; and financial support through InternNE to hire interns. The company also has applied for Nebraska Advantage incentives.

“On behalf of DED, we are pleased we could provide Midwest Hop Yard Supplies with financial assistance to help them take their operations to the next level,” said Brenda Hicks Sorensen, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “This hop yard and first-of-its-kind production facility in Nebraska is the stepping stone to full-scale opportunities for existing craft beer businesses and for entrepreneurs interested in developing value-added ag businesses focused on specialty craft beers.”

“These are the moments economic developers live for–innovative entrepreneurs committing their great ideas to a county and a region dedicated to seeing them grow. We thank Bruce and Annette Wiles for their foresight and faith in our community, and our city, county and state officials for encouraging new business. We know today’s announcement is just the prologue to what will be a tremendous success story,” David G. Brown, President/CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce said.

“I think back almost exactly one year ago, speaking with Annette about grants and other ways we could help her and Bruce realize this project. A year later, we’re celebrating a milestone announcement–and the impact new jobs and capital investment will have on our region. That, to me, is a special thrill,” said Lisa A. Scheve, Executive Director of the Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council.

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