DuPont Pioneer, a seed manufacturer and processor, has announced plans to expand two of its Indiana seed production facilities, adding a combined $26.3 million in capital investment and creating up to 41 new jobs by 2016. DuPont Pioneer and Indiana Officials, will conduct special ceremonies at the Tipton location on Thursday. The Johnston, Iowa-headquartered business will invest $13.7 million to add more than 20,800 square feet to its Tipton, IN. facility at 1000 W. Jefferson St., creating up to 20 new jobs. Also, DuPont Pioneer will invest $12.6 million to build 18,700 square feet onto its Rushville facility at 3258 U.S. Highway 52, adding up to 21 new positions. Both expansions, expected to be completed by October, will allow the company to condition and process its Optimum ® AcreMax ® family corn seed products.
“It’s no surprise that Indiana has emerged as DuPont Pioneer’s preferred location for business efficiency and growth,” said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “This decision reflects the strengths of Indiana’s business climate, particularly in the areas of workforce, location and cost, and our commitment to being a leader in the agricultural community.”
DuPont Pioneer, which currently has 500 full-time employees in Indiana and more than 12,000 worldwide, plans to begin hiring additional production technicians in the fall.
“We value the relationship we have with both of these communities, counties and the state of Indiana,” said Brad Lance, business director of the DuPont Pioneer Heartland business unit. “DuPont Pioneer has operated in Indiana for more than 70 years and we plan to continue that legacy and strive to be a good long-term partner to the state of Indiana.”
Founded in 1926, DuPont Pioneer produces and supplies hybrid or improved varieties of maize, soybean, sunflower, canola, rice, sorghum, alfalfa, cotton and wheat to farmers in more than 90 countries. The company, which operates 75 production plants worldwide, seeks to sustain and improve global agriculture through its more than 100 research and development facilities worldwide.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered DuPont Pioneer up to a combined $265,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $45,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Tipton and the city of Rushville approved additional tax abatement for these projects at the requests of the Tipton County Economic Development Organization and the Rush County Economic and Community Development Corporation.
“DuPont Pioneer has been a long-standing corporate citizen and one of Tipton’s most valued employers for many years,” said Tipton Mayor Don Havens. “The expansion of this agri-business is a most welcome economic development event for Tipton County.”
“Rush County is excited to have a prestigious company like DuPont Pioneer expanding and building their future in our community,” said Gerald Mohr, president of the Rush County Council. “The expansion of DuPont Pioneer and hiring of additional employees is always a great economic boost to Rush County.”
Agriculture is one of the leading sectors of Indiana’s economy, with a $20 billion annual impact. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Hoosier State is home to 62,000 farms, 14.8 million acres of farmland and ranks in the top 10 nationwide for agriculture exports of corn, feed and fodder, soybeans and pork.