The Iowa Transportation Commission approved state aid for the city of Ankeny Tuesday for street improvements for an expansion of the John Deere plant there known as the “John Des Moines Works.” D.O.T. planner, Craig Markley presented the plan to the commission at their meeting in Ames.
Markley said the total cost for the John Deere expansion is $3,216,403 with a recommended state Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy, or RISE grant, of $2,573,123 and a 20% local match of $643,280.
“This will result in the retention of 400 jobs along with the associated capital investment of more than 117-million (dollars),” Markley said. “The average wage rate of retained positions is $22.82, which is 105% of the Polk County average wage rate of $21.79.”
Ankeny Mayor, Steve Van Oort, talked to the commission about the project. “Last month Deere and Company announced their plans to construct a major new 300,000 square foot facility at their Ankeny factory. This was good news not only for our community, but a vote of confidence for the state of Iowa,” Van Oort said.
“Deere has been growing jobs in Ankeny, in the last 24 months the company has added 500 positions at John Deere Des Moines works. They currently employ 1,900 people.”
The transportation commission also approved additional funding for Ankeny for roadway improvements that would serve 160 acres for future manufacturing, industrial and office park development to the south of the expanded John Deere Des Moines Works facility.
That brought the total state funding approved for the city to just over six million dollars.