Monsanto Doubling Iowa Seed Production
November 27, 2007 Monsanto Co. will invest $230 million expanding its Iowa operations over the next two years, including building a DeKalb seed conditioning plant in northeast Iowa.
The expansion is the company’s largest in seven years and will double its Iowa corn seed production. In addition to a new plant, the world’s largest seed producer will expand DeKalb seed conditioning plants in Boone and Grinnell. It’s also wrapping up an expansion at its research facility in Ankeny, which will include 22,000 square feet for robotic genetic analysis systems.
The projects are expected to add a total of 80 full-time and 1,200 seasonal and part-time jobs, the company says. Monsanto already employs 1,000 Iowans full-time at 13 facilities across the state.
“Making these investments in Iowa, the heart of the Corn Belt, makes long-term strategic sense for Monsanto and our customers,” says Hugh Grant, Monsanto’s chief executive.
The new DeKalb corn seed production plant in northeast Iowa will be on about 150 acres. The location has not been announced. The plant will have three high-capacity dryers and corn receiving lines, more than 260,000 square feet of warehouse space, and a seven-story conditioning tower.
(Source: DesMoinesRegister.com)
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