The Iowa Department of Economic Development approved the expansion of what are called enterprise zone benefits this week for businesses in Denison and Centerville. Department spokesperson Tina Hoffman says the state money will help lure more jobs. She says Farmland Foods in Denison and Rubbermaid in Centerville will get the tax benefits. Hoffman says the enterprise zone gives the businesses several options. There’s a refund on sale taxes used during construction, there is an investment tax credit, plus there’s a doubling of the research and development tax credit. Hoffman says it helps the businesses expand, and also expands the tax base. Farmland is competing for a $77-million expansion to double its current production of hams, hot dogs and smoked sausages. It would create 218 jobs. Hoffman says Rubbermaid is proposing moving machinery to Iowa from a closed plant out of state and that would create 20 new jobs. She says they believe both projects should be able to go through with the state help. The D-E-D board also approved new enterprise zones in Clinton, Franklin, Jackson, Mitchell and Monona counties at their meeting this week.
