A Dutch-owned, animal feed additive company is planning to invest around $30 million into a new manufacturing plant in New Castle. Micronutrients USA, which was founded more than 20 years ago in Indianapolis, says the facility will lead to 50 new jobs by 2020. The company plans to break ground later this year, and the Henry County operation is expected to launch by the middle of 2019.
Ted McKinney, Director of the State Department of Agriculture and member of the Indiana Economic Development Commission, said the pro-agriculture atmosphere of the state contributed to the decision to locate here, ?Everyone is going gaga over all the tech announcements in Indiana, and we in agriculture are every bit a part of that.? In an interview with Hoosier Ag Today, McKinney said there are more agricultural economic development announcements coming soon.
Micronutrients USA currently employs 150 at its Indianapolis facilities. It says the new, 164,000 square-foot plant and warehouse will include mixing tanks, spray dryers, and packaging equipment to support additional production of hydroxy trace minerals for poultry, swine, and cattle. Micronutrients Vice President of Operations Ted Moore says, ?Indiana was originally chosen in 1994 as it was the home base for the overall corporation. Continued expansion in Indiana, specifically New Castle, is for an entirely different reason. While there is something to be said for having current operations nearby, the primary reasons for the New Castle location decision were the cooperative nature of the state and local governments and, most importantly, the quality workforce that is available in Indiana.?
Micronutrients USA has been offered up to $500,000 in conditional tax credits and $200,000 in infrastructure improvement funding from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
