MicroWorks to Expand Crown Point, Ind., Operations
MicroWorks, a microbiology consulting and training firm, said last week that it will expand its laboratory, manufacturing, and distribution center in Crown Point, Ind.
The expansion should create up to 19 new jobs by 2011, the company said.
The company said it plans to invest $1.6 million to purchase an existing 10,000-square-foot facility in the city to house its expanded operations.
"MicroWorks is a home-grown Indiana company and a prime example of an entrepreneurial life sciences business that is investing in Indiana and creating jobs for hard-working Hoosiers," said Gov. Mitch Daniels in a statement.
MicroWorks currently employs six staffers and said it plans to begin hiring lab technicians and clerical staff “immediately.”
The company also plans to hire microbiologists and warehouse positions by the end of 2009.
“Northwest Indiana was the right place for our growing business due to the close proximity to major markets such as Indianapolis and Chicago and our central location in the country," said Dawn McIver, founder and chief executive of MicroWorks, in a statement.
The firm is eligible for up to $32,500 in training grants from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. In addition, it said that the City of Crown Point “will consider property tax abatement.”
Genencor Breaks Ground on Center of Excellence in Cedar Rapids
Genencor last week broke ground on a 20,000-square-foot Applications and Training Center of Excellence in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The $4.6 million project will create approximately 20 new positions, the company said.
Construction is scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2009.
The center will include a laboratory for analysis and testing and will also provide training facilities for customers and staff.
“We have maintained a close working relationship with Genencor since their arrival to Cedar Rapids almost 20 years ago,” said Mark Seckman, president of Priority One, the Economic Development Division of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “This operation brings another dimension of industrial biotechnology to our community and further positions Cedar Rapids as a world leader in this industry.”
The Genencor Center of Excellence is designed by architect firm Shive-Hattery, and the general contractor for the project is Kleiman Construction.
The project has received undisclosed funding from Priority One, Kirkwood Community College, and the City of Cedar Rapids.
UW-Stout to Break Ground on Science Wing
The University of Wisconsin-Stout said that it plans to break ground on its new science wing, called Jarvis Hall, on June 17.
Dignitaries from the UW System, the Governor’s Office, and the Wisconsin Legislature will participate in the groundbreaking.
The $43.2 million project has two parts: Remodeling 66,400 square feet of the current building and adding a three-story addition and one-story classroom wing totaling 90,900 square feet.
An outdated classroom wing with 11,400 square feet will be demolished and replaced. The project also includes renovating the plumbing, heating ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and electrical and telecommunications systems in the existing building.
SDS Architects and BWBR Architects are the architects for the project. Shaw Lundquist is the general contractor.
Construction of the addition and renovation is scheduled for completion in August 2010.
The original Jarvis Hall was built in 1970 and is named for John Jarvis, who served as vice president of academic affairs from 1962 to 1973.
Noni Biotech Opens New Lab in Hawaii
Noni Biotech International plans to open a 3,600-square-foot headquarters and biotech laboratory in Ha‘iku, Hawaii, the Maui Weekly reported last week.
The company is developing organic anti-cancer compounds discovered in the juice of the noni plant, a type of evergreen that grows in Hawaii.