BROWNWOOD -- Biovance Texas recently finalized the purchase of the former Blue Bonnet feed mill at 3101 Stephen F. Austin Drive.

"The addition of this facility, although it needed considerable work to get it up and running, will allow us to control manufacturing of our own products as well as to provide manufacturing services to numerous other clients." said Dr. William Julien, president of Biovance. "This acquisition also allows us to be now fully integrated: from R&D (research and development), to full commercialization of our own specialized and patented products."

Biovance purchased the plant, which had been vacant since November, to meet immediate needs associated with the growing demands for the patented equine nutritional products of its partner company, Biovance Technologies of Omaha, Neb., according to company officials. The equine product line consists of: ReStore, Revolution, Revolution-Rx and Revolution Concentrate.

Biovance also plans to add several manufacturing clients.

"With the volume running through the plant," said Jim Miller, plant manager for Biovance, "we've been able to hire several local workers back and are looking to hire additional staff in the future."

Biovance officials said the company has worked closely with local economic development officials. The Brownwood Economic Development Corp. recently awarded Biovance a workforce development grant.

-- Reporter-News Staff Report