Fortune 100 Companies Announce Delaware Projects that will bring $110 Million In New Investments In Research And Manufacturing Facilities
Fortune 100 Companies Announce Projects
DuPont Announces Expansion of Agricultural Research Program
Governor Jack Markell and DuPont has announced that DuPont plans to invest more than $50 million over five years to expand its biotech soybean research and development program. The proposed investment will include expanding and improving biotech research facilities at DuPont’s Experimental Station in Wilmington and at its Stine Haskell Research Center in Newark. The proposed expansion is expected to add 75 new, full-time jobs in Delaware by the end of 2015.
“For generations, DuPont has helped shape our state’s reputation as a cradle of innovation. Their investment will help expand both that reputation and, more importantly, their work force,” Markell said.
“This plan includes a significant expansion of our overall biotech research effort,” said John Bedbrook, Vice President – DuPont Agricultural Biotechnology. “It would increase the speed at which we can bring new products to the market and help farmers around the world increase yields through tolerance to environmental stresses, insects and disease.”
The expansion plan includes new soybean research laboratories, tissue culture facilities, environmentally controlled growth rooms and greenhouses, which not only benefit soybean R&D efforts but also extend research resources for other core crops.
The Delaware Economic Development Office is providing a $1.5 million grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund to create jobs and to assist with the development of the new center. The funding is performance based and conditioned on DuPont’s capital investment in the project. The offer was approved by the Council on Development Finance on February 28, 2011. An additional $125,000 grant will be awarded from the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
“We competed with other states and countries to bring this business to Delaware,” said DEDO Secretary Alan Levin. “Our investment will support the growth of R&D in Delaware and create high-paying, knowledge-based jobs.”
“This announcement reflects a longstanding commitment to success and science in agriculture by DuPont, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and the State of Delaware,” said DDA Secretary Ed Kee. “The soybean biotech project will pay great dividends to farmers and consumers in Delaware and throughout the world.”
Pioneer is a leader in providing high-yielding soybean products to growers in the U.S. and Brazil. Pioneer has 25 research locations worldwide testing and developing quality soybean varieties for use in food, feed, fuel and materials.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success™.
DuPont, 86th on the 2010 Fortune 500 list, is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
Johnson Controls Expanding Battery Production
Governor Jack Markell and Delaware Economic Development Office Secretary Alan Levin announced that Johnson Controls -Power Solutions Group will invest approximately $60 million to build a new state-of-the-art production and distribution center for lead acid batteries.
The 400,000-square-foot facility will be located in the Westtown Business Park in Middletown, DE and will complement its existing 272,000 square foot facility, also in Middletown. The expansion will add 67 new, full-time jobs by June 2012. The job additions means Johnson Controls will employ more than 280 people in Delaware. Additionally, the construction of the new plant will result in a significant number of construction jobs.
“Johnson Controls’ decision to put more Delawareans to work reflects our growing reputation as a great place to build a business,” Markell said. “We’re proud that these products serving the region will be produced and distributed right here in Delaware.”
The Delaware Economic Development Office is providing a $2.06 million grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund to assist with construction of the new facility and to purchase new equipment. The Delaware Council on Development Finance approved the award on February 28, 2011. The funding is conditioned on the Johnson Controls capital investment in the project. An additional $384,968 performance-based grant was awarded for jobs created and retained in Delaware, bringing the total Delaware investment in the project to over $2.4 million.
“This is great news for Delaware and especially for Middletown,” said DEDO Secretary Alan Levin. “We are proud of the success of Johnson Controls. The company’s growth and continued commitment to Delaware is putting more individuals back to work while boosting state’s economy.”
Johnson Controls, 83rd on the 2010 Fortune 500 List, is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles.
Johnson Controls Power Solutions is the global leader in lead-acid automotive batteries for virtually every type of passenger car, light truck and utility vehicle with 36 percent market share. They also manufacture advanced lead-acid batteries for Start-Stop vehicles and Lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Their 35 manufacturing facilities produce approximately 120 million lead-acid batteries annually, supplying more than one third of the world’s lead-acid batteries to major auto makers and aftermarket retailers.
Post info provided by Stone Jeff, Infrastructure and Intergovernmental Relations Director @ DEDO
- Delaware Annual Report and Franchise Tax Deadline Is Further Extended
- 2010 Delaware corporate annual reports and franchise tax deadline is today, March 4th, 2011