The Iowa Economic Development Authority board last week approved aid for four projects that included operations in Winterset and Des Moines.

Helena plans $47M DM facility
Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC, formerly known as Helena Chemical Co., plans a $47 million expansion involving two plants and warehouse in a Des Moines operation that will create 25 jobs, three of them paying at least $30.32 an hour. The state agreed to $1.1 million in investment tax credits and tax refunds, with the city providing $1.6 million in tax abatement. The project in the southeast Des Moines agribusiness park includes the construction of two manufacturing plants and a warehouse.

Grip-Tite expands in Winterset
Anchoring product company Grip-Tite Manufacturing Co. LLC plans to lease and improve a 40,000-square-foot building in Winterset in a project expected to create 26 jobs, with 22 paying at least $18.87 per hour. The board awarded $200,000 in loans for the $1.95 million project.

NeXT1 Inc. leases Des Moines facility
NeXT1 Inc., which moves scientific and medical technologies to the market, plans to lease a Des Moines facility and spend $1.6 million on improvements and related expenses. The state will provide $200,000 in forgivable loans. NeXT1 plans to create 23 jobs, all of them paying at least $30.32 per hour.

Crown Holdings to move to Dubuque from Omaha
Packaging manufacturer Crown Holdings Inc. plans to relocate its operations and transfer existing equipment from Omaha to Dubuque to better serve customers. The company plans to sign a 10-year lease on a building and spend $2.6 million on improvements. The state is providing a $250,000 forgivable loan and $239,568 in tax credits. The company plans to create 42 jobs, all of them paying at least $22.85 per hour.