Cargill got a boost in its plan to expand its Eddyville complex with a $6 million award announced Friday by the Iowa Economic Development Authority board.

The more than $200 million project includes the creation of 14 jobs at a qualifying wage of $17.46 per hour, according to information from the IEDA.

According to the announcement, the Minneapolis-based Cargill will produce a new bio-based, sustainable intermediate chemical that serves multiple end markets. The expansion will further diversify the company’s Eddyville facility, and include production facility construction, new bioprocessing and fermentation machinery and equipment, research and development, and improvements to its wastewater treatment capacity.

According to IEDA spokeswoman Kanan Kappelman, Cargill received $4 million in investment tax credits, and $2 million in sales and services use tax credits.

The Monroe County Board of Supervisors also approved a more than $5.5 million sliding scale property tax abatement for the project.

Cargill, which operates in 70 countries worldwide, employs 566 people at the Eddyville facility.
The IEDA board on Friday also approved assistance to four startups:

• Curiosity Labs of Ames was awarded a $25,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance loan for product refinement, market planning, key personnel and equipment. The company develops platforms that, using a camera-enabled microscope, can detect parasites in soil samples and answer questions for farmers about reduction in soybean yields.

• Providence Data Technologies of Ames, doing business as Distynct, received a $25,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance loan to help its development of smart camera technologies to provide swine producers with a fully automated herd monitoring system.

• Dhaki of Cedar Falls, is a B2B online sourcing marketplace that provides alternative sourcing for apparel companies. It received a $25,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance loan for IP development, market planning/market entry activities and key personnel. Dhakai’s technology application connects U.S. retailers and private labels directly to verified Southeast Asian apparel manufacturers, allowing buyers to plug in their sourcing needs and then view the most relevant factories based on the search algorithm
• FarmHand App, based in De Witt, gives farmers and ranchers the ability to easily connect with quality farmhands. With the technology, farmers can view a farmhand’s work experience and availability, as well as review applications and handle communication, providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to hire and manage farmhands. The company was awarded a $25,000 Proof of Commercial Relevancy loan for product refinement, market planning and other expenses.