GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- A new plant is under construction in Grand Island that will mass produce a Nebraska-born fertilizer.

GMCO Growth Technologies broke ground on the plant in June. It will produce Nitro-Mag, which lead agronomist Marcus Dennis describes as the first real innovation in fertilizer in more than 25 years.

“Has a lot of benefits, it's more efficient in the plant," Dennis said. "It has been shown to add yield and it adds bigger roots. They are just quite a few advantages to it.” 

The product was born in a garage in York, where Dennis was experimenting with ingredients and happened to use his wife’s blender. 

“She’s got a real nice blender right now, top of the line stuff, you know what I mean? She was a little grumpy to begin with…,” Dennis said. 

GMCO has tested Nitro-Mag with positive results among Nebraska farmers.

Right now, they're building storage tanks and the production facility. 

Manager Bryan French said the plant will benefit the community. 

“To start with, you know, we’re working with Cathcart Rail and they got us kind of interested in this area," French said. "The beauty of this area is it has rail access to both the UP and also the Burlington Northern, so that was pretty instrumental in our decision to find, to select this site, if you will. You know what this means as the Grand Island community is more jobs, more taxes and it’s just another business in town.”

GMCO officials were present when U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced a $15 million investment in Cathcart Rail last month.

The plant will employ four people at first, with plans to double the staff in three years.

Construction is set to be done by next June. For now, the product is being produced at a temporary location in Hastings.