Delaware, DuPont to expand ag research program

Wilmington, Del.-Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and DuPont announced on Feb. 17 that DuPont plans to invest more than $50 million over five years to expand its biotech soybean research and development program. The proposed investment will include expanding and improving biotech research facilities at DuPont’s Experimental Station in Wilmington and at its Stine Haskell Research Center in Newark, Del. The proposed expansion is expected to add 75 new, full-time jobs in Delaware by the end of 2015. “This plan includes a significant expansion of our overall biotech research effort,” said John Bedbrook, vice president, DuPont Agricultural Biotechnology. “It would increase the speed at which we can bring new products to the market and help farmers around the world increase yields through tolerance to environmental stresses, insects and disease.” The expansion plan includes new soybean research laboratories, tissue culture facilities, and environmentally controlled growth rooms and greenhouses. The Delaware Economic Development Ofc. has offered a $1.5 million grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund to assist with the center’s development. The funding is performance based and conditioned on DuPont’s capital investment in the project. The offer will be reviewed by the Council on Development Finance on Feb. 28. An additional $125,000 grant will be awarded from the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA). “This announcement reflects a longstanding commitment to success and science in agriculture by DuPont, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and the State of Delaware,” said DDA Secretary Ed Kee. “The soybean biotech project will pay great dividends to farmers and consumers in Delaware and throughout the world.”