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Missouri's thriving animal-health corridor received another boost today, as Gov. Jay Nixon announced plans by SCD Probiotics to expand its operations and create an estimated 62 new jobs in downtown Kansas City. The company's plans include a capital investment of $9.1 million over the next five years.
During a visit to SCD Probiotics' manufacturing facility in downtown Kansas City, Gov. Nixon announced that his administration has authorized a $1.4 million incentive package to enable the company's expansion. The incentive package includes resources from the state's Enhanced Enterprise Zone program, Customized Training program, Recruitment Assistance program, Development Tax Credit program and the Missouri Technology Corporation. The company also has applied for a real property tax abatement through the City of Kansas City and energy-efficiency incentives from Kansas City Power and Light.
As a result of these incentives, SCD Probiotics will be able to continue its ongoing expansion. On Feb. 1, the company moved its administrative headquarters into 4,800 square feet of new space at the Mainmark Building in downtown Kansas City. That move jumpstarts the renovation of a state-of-the art fermentation facility at the company's original manufacturing site in the city's Paseo West District. Under SCD Probiotics' current growth plans, the company could need as much as 57,000 square feet of additional space in the future.
"This expansion is a win for SCD Probiotics, a win for Missouri, and a win for downtown Kansas City," Gov. Nixon said. "This major investment by a cutting-edge company will create good jobs for Missourians, and help transform a distressed neighborhood in the heart of Kansas City. I am pleased that my administration is able to provide a strategic package of economic incentives to help SCD Probiotics move forward with their plans, and we look forward to continuing to work with this exciting Missouri company for many years to come."
SCD Probiotics was established in 1998 by entrepreneur Matt Wood when he was still an undergraduate student at the University of Missouri. Probiotics, also known as "good bacteria," are living microorganisms with beneficial properties. Probiotics can take a variety of forms, such as yogurt or dietary supplements, that provide a positive benefit for the human digestive system. Other forms of probiotics provide benefits to companion animals' digestive systems, or even aid with decomposition in compost piles or lagoons.
Under Wood's leadership, SCD Probiotics is now an emerging global bioscience company that produces probiotics for applications in agriculture, livestock operations, industrial waste treatment and bioremediation, aquaculture, human health, and residential homes and gardens. More than 80 percent of the company's sales come from international markets.
"SCD Probiotics is pleased to announce our company's growth and expansion plans, and our commitment to the state of Missouri," said Matthew Wood, CEO of SCD Probiotics. "The state's assistance is an important factor for SCD Probiotics to continue to be part of the Kansas City urban area, where our manufacturing facility has been operating since 2004."
"This project is proof that Missouri and Kansas City can effectively compete in the life sciences area by using current economic development tools effectively," said Jeff Kaczmarek, President & CEO of the Kansas City Economic Development Corporation. "The competitive landscape is constantly changing, however, and Missouri needs to add new tools in order to keep and grow our life sciences companies."
