Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance contest is a family affair in Aurora

AURORA, Neb. (KSNB) - A company from Aurora could be manufacturing some of the coolest products in Nebraska. The Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance is asking the people of the state to vote on the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska.’

They’re down to the semifinals, which is where the Grain Weevil Corporation out of Aurora finds themselves. They craft robots designed for grain bin safety.

The business is a family affair, as father and son, Cody and Ben Johnson run the operation.

Cody said it’s a unique opportunity to work with his son in this venture.

“It’s really cool to be a part of that start up culture, which is really starting to gain traction here, especially in Central Nebraska some new things popping up,” Cody Johnson said. “But also part of that Ag family, you know the agricultural community here in Nebraska is unbelievable.”

Johnson said of the 16 companies to who made the contest there is a similarity that runs through many of them.

“I think that has been a large part of our message all along, that really cool things are happening in rural Nebraska, and I think this just shows it,” Johnson told Local4 News. “Most not all, but a lot of those top 16 were outside, from rural Nebraska, it’s just a lot of fun.”

Chief Fabrication is also in the semi-finals alongside Grain Weevil.

Voting is taking place here.

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