A French firm affiliated with two companies already operating in Cedar Rapids is laying plans to build a $6.5 million plant in Cedar Rapids.

Lesaffre Yeast Corporation makes yeast, yeast extracts and other fermentation products for food and for fuel. It’s affiliated with Red Star Yeast and Bio Springer North America, which already have plants in Cedar Rapids. The city council in Cedar Rapids will likely file an application with the state, on behalf of the French company, to secure state investment tax credits for the proposed plant.

The company calls the proposed facility a “pilot plant” and it would employ just four people once it opens. If the deal is secured, construction on the plant would begin early next year.