Kleffmann North America Announces Iowa City Expansion
Project over a quarter of a million dollars; New jobs expected to pay over $21/hr
(Iowa City, Iowa) Kleffmann North America (KNA) today announced plans to expand the Research and Marketing Office of its North American operation in Iowa City, Iowa, to accommodate current and projected growth in the next three years.
KNA has requested support for a $300,000 expansion project, including a $40,000 Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) forgivable loan from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) Board of Directors and $15,000 from the City of Iowa City.
Contingent upon approval, KNA will remodel its current office, lease approximately 1,700 square feet of new space, purchase new computer software and equipment, and coordinate a new jobs training program with Kirkwood Community College.
“When selecting a city to establish business in North America, Iowa City has proven to be our best decision with its focus on education, research, and its diverse and open local culture,” said Daniel Abbott, COO for KNA. “The Iowa City area has a strong market to meet the company’s workforce and quality of life needs of its employees and we look forward to continued growth in Iowa.” Since opening its Iowa City location in 2006, KNA has provided research services to agricultural industry leaders across America.
Expansion and staff recruitment are expected to begin later this summer. KNA plans to employ nine salaried professionals and six hourly interviewers in the next three years with a combined annual payroll of more than $650,000.
"It has been a pleasure working with Burkhard Kleffmann, Daniel Abbott and their team at Kleffmann North America to assist another exciting European headquartered company with their expansion in Iowa City and the Technology Corridor,” said Joe Raso, President Iowa City Area Development Group. “The collaboration of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Kirkwood Community College and the City of Iowa City has been critical to this project coming to fruition, and we look forward to city and state approvals of their applications.”