August 15, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for a manufacturing expansion in Mount Pleasant and a quality of life project in Keosauqua. The board also awarded a grant for BioMADE, a U.S. Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute, to establish a bioindustrial manufacturing scale-up facility.
ContiTech to expand facility in Mount Pleasant
ContiTech USA, LLC, part of a sector of the rubber and plastics manufacturer Continental AG, produces air spring and anti-vibration systems, coated fabrics, conveyer and drive belts, hoses and more. The company plans to construct a state-of-the-art compounding center, which includes production, warehouse and office space. The project represents a $65 million capital investment and is expected to create 50 jobs incented at a qualifying wage of $21.50 per hour. The board awarded the company a $1 million forgivable loan and tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.
Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant awarded to Keosauqua
The City of Keosauqua and Engage Keosauqua, Inc. were awarded $144,000 through the CAT program for the creation of a new sports area to revitalize recreation opportunities in the community. The project will construct courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball and bocce ball, offering new amenities for residents and visitors. The total project cost is $481,761.
The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.
Bioindustrial manufacturing scale-up facility approved for Strategic Infrastructure Program grant
The Iowa State University Research Park, in partnership with Iowa State University (ISU) and BioMADE, a U.S. Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute, was awarded a $10 million grant to advance biomanufacturing and enhance Iowa crop values with the establishment of a multi-user fermentation scale-up facility at ISU’s BioCentury Research Farm in Boone. Lack of access to scale-up fermentation facilities in the country limits the advancement of fermentation-based technologies. The facility and its hands-on training and support will enable the commercialization of biomanufactured products, create demand for Iowa feedstocks and attract established companies and startups much earlier in their development cycle. View the full release of the announcement.
The Strategic Infrastructure Program supports projects that develop commonly utilized assets with the goal of providing a competitive advantage to one or more private sector entities or that create necessary physical infrastructure in the state, and such projects are not adequately provided by the public or private sectors. Award recommendations for these funds are made by an internal and external review committee and presented to the IEDA Board for approval.
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Download a spreadsheet with today's HQJ award.
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