Genencor to Build Center of Excellence in Cedar Rapids

17/12/07 Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S has announced plans to construct a new 20,000-square-foot Applications and Training Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The project will have a capital investment of approximately $3.5 million and will create about 20 new positions. 
 
The project is subject to formal approval for financial assistance, which includes direct financial assistance, tax credits and property tax exemptions from the City of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College, and the State of Iowa.
 
Pending approval, construction is scheduled to be complete between the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009, at the company’s 80-acre manufacturing site located at 1000 41st Avenue Drive, Southwest.
 
“This is yet another positive development in the growth of the grain processing, ethanol and biotechnology industries in Iowa,” said Iowa’s Governor Chet Culver.  “Companies like Genencor are attracted not only to Iowa’s corn production, but to our robust opportunities to build business and attract skilled workers. They are part of a sustainable future for the region and for the country as a whole.”

Fuel ethanol and carbohydrate processing customers will be able to solve real-world production challenges at the center. (Carbohydrate processing involves making products such as food sweeteners.) The center will include a fully equipped laboratory for analysis and testing, and some of the industry’s top technicians and scientists at Genencor. It also will provide extensive training facilities for customers and staff to build technical knowledge.
 
 “This project supports our mission to continue to provide the most advanced enzyme applications technologies to make grain processing production more efficient and effective,” said Troy Wilson, vice president, Grain Processing, for Genencor. “Priority One, the business community, city and state government officials have all contributed to making Cedar Rapids a key location for this business.”
 
“Genencor’s training facility is a prime example of how the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor is positioned to serve the rapidly growing industrial biotechnology industry," added Mark Seckman, President of Priority One. “Priority One will aggressively assist Genencor through our workforce initiatives to attract the talent needed to fulfill the highly skilled positions for the operation.” 
 
“The Iowa Department of Economic Development is happy to be a strategic partner with the City of Cedar Rapids and Priority One in this project,” said Mike Tramontia, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development.  “This project creates opportunities that attract working professionals in the biotechnology sector.  These positions, coupled with the quality of life offered in the Cedar Rapids area, provide a state-wide model for business attraction.”
 
“Genencor has a great history in Cedar Rapids,” stated Mayor Halloran. “The people who work at Genencor are very involved in our community and I am glad our continued investment resulted in Genencor's decision to locate their training facility in Cedar Rapids.”