The city of Columbus is set to see a significant boost in its local economy with a major investment from a leading medical device company. In a move to expand its operations, BD has unveiled plans to pour $110 million into enhancing its prefillable syringe production capabilities.
This ambitious expansion will create approximately 120 new jobs, adding to the company’s already substantial workforce of over 2,000 employees in the city. BD currently operates two manufacturing facilities in Columbus.
Demand for Injectable Medications Spurs Growth
One of the driving forces behind this investment is the rising demand for GLP-1s, a category of injectable weight-loss drugs. Patrick Jeukenne, worldwide president of BD Pharmaceutical Systems, emphasized the strategic nature of this expansion, stating, “This investment in Nebraska, advances our long-term growth strategy and reflects our commitment to partnering with biopharmaceutical innovators as they bring advanced therapies to patients who require next-generation drug delivery solutions.”
This latest development follows a previous announcement in August, where BD committed $35 million to enhance its pre-filled flush syringe production at one of its Columbus plants, an initiative that is set to generate an additional 50 jobs. For more details, see the August announcement.
State Officials Welcome the Expansion
The news has been well-received by state officials, including Senator Pete Ricketts, who commented on the significance of BD’s continued investment in Nebraska. “This investment further underscores BD’s ongoing commitment to keep critical manufacturing in states like Nebraska,” Ricketts said in a statement. “I appreciate BD’s longstanding partnership with the Cornhusker State.”
Challenges in Nebraska’s Manufacturing Sector
While BD’s expansion in Columbus presents a positive development, the broader manufacturing sector in Nebraska has faced challenges. Over the past year, the sector has seen a downturn, attributed in part to tariffs. The Nebraska Department of Labor reports a loss of nearly 2,000 manufacturing jobs between November 2024 and November 2025.
Additionally, there has been a notable decrease in manufacturing exports from the state, with figures dropping from $5.3 billion in the first nine months of 2024 to $4.6 billion during the same period this year, as recorded by Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index.
