Mirriam, Ind.-Indiana economic development boosters are cheering the decision of Salem, Va.-based Novozymes Biologicals Inc. to invest more than $2.3 million to relocate its Roots line of organic-based fertilizers research and production facility to a new 32,000 square-foot plant in Merriam in southern Noble County. Novozymes Biologicals, a subsidiary of Dutch-based Novozymes A/S, will be moving from nearby Albion, where the company must close its existing plant under edict from the Noble County zoning board to cease operations because of complaints about truck traffic and dust. Six months ago the board refused Novozymes’ application to renew its variance. “This expansion is a great growth opportunity for northern Indiana and an indication of the quality high-tech workforce available to companies who choose to call Indiana home,” said Nathan Feltman, Indiana secretary of commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. “This new facility will allow us to accommodate our rapid growth and further improve on timely delivery to our customers,” said John Sedivy, Novozymes Biologicals director of new business development. Novozymes was offered up to $60,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $6,000 in training grants based on the announced expansion plans. Noble County also pitched in with a property tax abatement worth approximately $89,000.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain