The Iowa Economic Development Authority is slated to approve inventive packages for a new JBS USA sausage plant in Perry and expansion projects creating new jobs at ITA Group and Merchants Bonding Company in West Des Moines .
Votes on the incentives are slated for the IEDA’s Friday, June 20, meeting.
JBS announced in May it plans to build the 150,000-square-foot plant on about 90 acres next to Perry’s industrial park, employing more than 300 workers. It will be a step toward filling the hole left a year ago when the city’s Tyson Fresh Meats pork plant closed its doors in June of 2024, laying off 1,300.
The IEDA incentive package for JBS includes an investment tax credit and sales and use tax refunds totaling just over $12 million. In addition, the will provide tax increment financing rebates of $10 million, spread out over 10 years.
JBS plans to complete the $137 million project by November 2026, hiring 250 workers in the first three years and adding 70 more in subsequent years.
Brazil-based JBS has operations in 15 countries, and company employs more than 150,000 people providing products for over 100 countries on six continents.
IEDA to support growth of West Des Moines’ ITA Group
The growing ITA Group in fall 2024 completed the move of its headquarters from 4600 Westown Parkway to the Arcadia Building in West Des Moines in fall 2024 and at the time indicated it planned to expand its workforce.
The incentive package from the IEDA includes $89,150 in investment tax credits and $30,600 in sales and use tax refunds for a total of $119,750. The expansion plan carries an expected price tag of about $2.4 million for site preparation, capital lease costs, building remodeling, computer hardware, furniture and fixtures.
ITA’s expansion will add 15,000 square feet to its existing 152,000 square feet in the Arcadia building to accommodate its growth.
At the time of its move, ITA Group, which offers event planning, incentive, recognition and educational programs and marketing services. had 1,000 employees worldwide and 500 in the Des Moines metro. IEDA documents show the company now employs 694 people at its headquarters in West Des Moines with plans to add 33 more through its expansion.
West Des Moines insurer slated to get nearly $1.1 million, plus more from city
The IEDA board will consider an incentive package totaling $878,085 for expansion of Merchants Bonding Co. in West Des Moines. with $658,564 coming in the form of a sales tax and use refund and $219,521 coming from an insurance premium tax credit.
The city plans to provide an estimated $800,000 tax increment financing rebate over five years.
Incorporated in 1933 and headquartered in West Des Moines, Merchants Bonding is a property and casualty mutual insurance company that is licensed in all 50 states.
MBC plans to expand its existing facilities at 6700 Westown Parkway by 34,000 square feet at a cost of $23.4 million. The project will add office and conference space.
MBC currently has 261 employees at its West Des Moines headquarters and plans to add 34.
Kevin Baskins covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at kbaskins@registermedia.com.
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New Perry sausage plant, two West Des Moines employers in line for state incentives
Reporting by Kevin Baskins, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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