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The Iowa Department of Economic Development announced recently that more than 230 new jobs are planned or proposed for Iowa as a result of awards from the department.
The Iowa Economic Development Board approved awards for projects or proposals in Muscatine, Cedar Rapids, Johnston, Des Moines, Story City, Sioux City, Lamoni, Ames, Indianola and Corydon.
"Today's awards represent hundreds of new, well-paying jobs in communities across Iowa," said Governor Branstad. "These awards help illustrate Iowa's commitment to attracting innovative companies to the state."
Another 246 jobs are expected to be retained as a result of the awards.
"I am encouraged with the number and quality of the projects that are currently in the pipeline," said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. "The projects approved this month are just a sample of the quality projects we are working to bring forward in the months ahead."
Awards approved at today's meeting include:
HP proposal would bring new jobs to Des Moines
The board awarded $600,000 in direct financial assistance to technology provider Hewlett-Packard (HP), which is proposing a logistics center near an existing facility in Des Moines. The company plans to lease a 300,000-square-foot build-to-suit facility on roughly 20 acres. The $16.7 million expansion is expected to create 150 new jobs, 10 of which are supported with state incentives. Another 62 jobs are expected to be retained because of the awards. The board also approved tax incentives through the High Quality Jobs program.
Pioneer to expand in Johnston
The board awarded tax incentives through the High Quality Jobs program to E.I. DuPont de Nemours and company and its wholly-owned subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. to expand its operations in Johnston. The plant genetics company plans to construct additional offices, a state-of-the-art insectory, new growth chambers for plant breeding and a greenhouse for Fast Corn Technology with a head house for an office and work area. The project represents a $147 million project cost and is expected to create 138 jobs supported by state incentives. Headquartered in Johnston, the company employs more than 2,100 workers in Iowa.
Bridgestone Bandag proposes upgrades to data center in Muscatine
The board awarded $700,000 in direct financial assistance and tax incentives through the High Quality Jobs program to Bridgestone Bandag in Muscatine for a proposed expansion of the capacity of its data center. The company is a franchisor of the world's leading commercial retreading system and provides engineering and research and development support from its Muscatine location. The proposed project represents a $1.6 million capital investment and is expected to retain 138 jobs.
Cedar Rapids company proposes expansion
The board approved Enterprise Zone tax incentives for Divine Engineering's proposed expansion. The Cedar Rapids company manufactures heavy-duty drag conveyors, or bulk material handling equipment, used primarily in grain processing. Divine's proposed project includes construction of a 5,500 square-foot addition to their current facility. The addition is expected to create operating efficiencies, enabling the company to increase market share and remain competitive in the industry. The project is expected to create six jobs. The award is expected to support the retention of 10 jobs.
Rasmussen proposes expansion in Sioux City
The board approved tax incentives through the Enterprise Zone and the Targeted Jobs Withholding Tax Credit programs to Rasmussen Mechanical Services in Sioux City for a proposed expansion. The provider of industrial boiler equipment and services proposes constructing a 40,000-square-foot facility near the Expedition Business Park in Sioux City, a $3.7 million capital investment. State incentives are expected to support the retention of 36 jobs.
Hatchery proposed for Lamoni
The board approved Enterprise Zone tax credits to Valley of the Moon Commercial Poults, Inc. for construction of a commercial turkey egg hatchery. The hatchery would supply day-old turkey poults to key customers in the Midwest. The project represents a $17 million capital investment and is expected to create 33 new jobs, 11 of which are supported by state incentives.
Start-up plans manufacturing center in Story City
The board awarded $450,000 in direct financial assistance to Indoshell Precision Technologies to develop a global manufacturing operation in Story City. The company centers on contract engineering and expects customers will include the electronic, aerospace, fluid power, instrumentation, automotive, oil, government and agricultural sectors. The project includes purchasing and remodeling an existing building previously occupied by Precision Machine and Manufacturing Company in Story City and refurbishing machinery and equipment. The company is expected to create 72 jobs supported by state incentives. The board also approved tax incentives through the High Quality Jobs program.
Promising flow meter devise offers great potential
M&S FlowMatics, Inc., of Ames, was awarded $70,000 from the Demonstration Fund to support the manufacturing of additional prototypes of a flow meter, originally developed by the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University. Originally developed for seed sorting, the superior design makes this flow meter applicable for a wide variety of granular materials. The additional prototypes will be used to determine the applicability of the flow meter with material ranging from fertilizer mixing to cereal and pet food manufacturing.
Software program ready for national launch
The Board awarded $50,000 from the Demonstration Fund to TS Investments, LLC of Indianola. Floorgraph is a software product, developed by TS Investments, that helps construction contractors extract data from architectural drawings more quickly and accurately, resulting in the generation of faster and more accurate bids, which increase the company's competitiveness. Floorgraph is a proven program and with the support from this award the marketing efforts for this product will be expanded nationally in a commercial forum.
Corydon company working to improve drinking water
NewWater, LLC, a bio-tech water treatment company located in Corydon, was approved for $95,000 from the Iowa Demonstration Fund to help them be the first to deploy enzymes in drinking water facilities for the removal of contaminants. The first enzyme product is designed to attack atrazine, which is widely used in herbicides, and break it down into harmless byproducts. Eventually the company plans to develop a full line of bio-based contaminate-removal products. The award will support efforts to secure necessary certifications from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources.
Ames company bringing fresh produce closer to consumers
The board awarded $50,000 from the Demonstration Fund to C2 Development of Ames to support efforts to design, develop, manufacture and deliver LED application products providing solutions for high output, high quality food production in environmentally controlled indoor facilities. This technology can provide fresh produce growing solutions ranging from countertop options within a family home to large operations capable of feeding of residents in communities of all sizes. Benefits cited are cost savings of transportation warehousing and storage, and the ability to deliver fresh locally grown produce in a cold climate environment on a year round basis.
