St. Louis, Missouri
September 8, 2008
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) hosted a ceremonial
groundbreaking event today marking the start of the construction
phase for a new DEKALB® corn seed production facility in
Independence, Iowa. Heartland Acres Agribition Center hosted the
event attended by Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Independence
Mayor Frank Brimmer and community representatives.
"Today is a great day for Independence and a great day for our
state," said Lt. Governor Patty Judge. "I want to thank Monsanto
for not only making this commitment to our state but for your
continued partnership as together we build a stronger and better
future for Iowa."
Mark Leidy, Monsanto executive vice president, Manufacturing,
led the groundbreaking on the $90 million state-of-the-art
facility and spoke to the importance of expansion in Iowa.
"We're in the heart of the nation's most bountiful
corn-producing region. This area is within excellent proximity
to our growers, who remain, like we do, focused 100 percent on
the success of agriculture."
Greg Halverson, director of the Buchanan County Economic
Development Commission, appreciates the benefits the facility
will bring to the Independence area. "We are excited about the
opportunity to partner with such a great company and especially
with corn growers. It's important to always work toward
expanding the local tax base."
Once complete, the plant plans to utilize the services of more
than 1,000 seasonal workers. In "phase one" of the facility's
build out, scheduled for the fall of 2010, the new corn seed
production plant will have two high-capacity dryers and green
corn receiving lines, bulk storage, 175,000 square feet of
warehouse space and a conditioning tower capable of packaging
1,200 bags of corn seed per hour.
The new facility is a significant part of a more than $230
million planned investment by Monsanto in Iowa. Monsanto
operates two other corn seed production facilities in Iowa, in
the cities of Boone and Grinnell. In addition to building the
new corn seed site, the company is expanding its existing corn
seed production facilities in the state. Monsanto also expanded
its facility in Ankeny, the company's global hub for breeding
research.
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of
technology-based solutions and agricultural products that
improve farm productivity and food quality.
DEKALB and the Winged Ear design and DEKALB Strong Roots.
Strong Yields. are trademarks of Dekalb Genetics Corporation.
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