A Nebraska manufacturer whose animal health products help everything from household pets to cattle and horses is among the final four in the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska competition.
Nova-Tech Inc. manufactures injectable fluid therapy products at its Grand Island facility. Company President Teresa Grabowski said the products are administered intravenously, much like human medications, and serve animals of many sizes and species.
“We are there to support the veterinarian and the health of the animals that are fed here in our area,” Grabowski told the Rural Radio Network.
Nova-Tech began manufacturing in its current Grand Island facility in 2011. Grabowski described the female-owned small business as part of Nebraska’s broader agricultural economy, alongside equipment manufacturing, food processing and livestock production.
Because its products are injectable drugs, Nova-Tech is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and follows good manufacturing practices, Grabowski said.
“We hold ourselves to a very high standard when it comes to manufacturing,” she said. “We know that we are able to put a quality product out there for that end user.”
Those users include veterinarians, cattle producers, horse owners and pet owners. Grabowski said Nova-Tech’s replacement fluids can help animals that need rehydration.
She said the company has also become an important part of the Grand Island community. Many employees live within about 50 miles of the city, and Nova-Tech supports local charities and sponsors the Nebraska State Fair.
Nova-Tech entered the contest on a whim, Grabowski said, and the response from employees, customers, family, friends and the community has exceeded expectations.
“We’re just blown away by the incredible amount of support that we’ve received,” she said.
The competition has also helped introduce more people to the Nova-Tech name. Grabowski said the company historically operated behind the scenes because many products leaving its facility carried customers’ labels. Its bagged fluids now carry the Nova-Tech Animal Health label.
More than 20,000 individual votes were cast during the first two rounds of the contest, which is hosted by the Nebraska Chamber and Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance and presented by Pinnacle Bank.
The other finalists are modular housing from Family Built Homes in Gering, fresh stone-milled flour from Grand Republic Milling Co. in Gering and popcorn from Popcorn County USA in North Loup.
Final-round voting continues through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. The winner will be announced Oct. 29 during the Nebraska Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista.
Voters can support their favorite finalist through the contest’s online survey.