Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announce biotech jobs in Osage
State of Iowa Seal
(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced plans to travel to Osage to welcome Valent BioSciences Corporation to Iowa. Valent BioSciences Corporation will hold a press conference today at 1 p.m. at the Cedar River Complex in Osage, Iowa.
“I am pleased to announce that Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I will be on hand in Osage today to welcome Valent BioSciences Corporation to Iowa,” said Branstad. “Valent BioSciences investment in Iowa will provide quality jobs for the people of North Central Iowa. This investment, along with the recent investments by Alltech and Cargill, demonstrates the confidence businesses have in Iowa as we build on a sound fiscal foundation, while reducing the tax and regulatory burden on business.”
“This is precisely why I continue to urge the Legislature to take action and reduce the commercial property tax and the corporate income tax to allow us to continue this momentum in building Iowa’s economy,” Branstad added.
Valent BioSciences Corporation commercializes and supplies low risk, environmentally compatible agricultural, public health, forestry products and insecticides. Valent BioSciences produces the plant growth regulators “ProGibb” and “ReTain,” as well as, the world’s leading biological insecticide “DiPel.”
“Valent BioSciences Corporation’s investment announcement in Osage is critically important for this community,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Valent BioSciences Corporation plans to invest $132 million in the local community in addition to the $500,000 the Department of Economic Development will provide for upgrades to the Osage waste water system.”
Valent BioScines Corporation, based in Libertyville, Illinois, is owned by Sumitomo Chemical Company of Chou-ku, Japan. This investment, which will initially create 89 jobs in Osage, represents one of the largest Japanese business investments in Iowa.
Officials from Valent BioSciences Corporation and Sumitomo Chemical Company will be on hand for the press conference along with local and state officials. There will be time for questions.
For more information, please visit www.Governor.Iowa.gov.
