Deere & Co. Plans International Tech HQ In Urbandale

URBANDALE, IA — A $32.6 million international headquarters for the new technology division of Deere & Company is moving forward after two key endorsements in recent weeks. The project last month received $2.9 million in state tax credits through a jobs program and on Tuesday the Urbandale City Council approved a development agreement that would rebate an estimated $4.1 million in tax payments to the company over 10 years.

The planned 134,000-square-foot technology facility for Deere & Company's Intelligent Solutions Group is expected to be the job site for 600 Deere employees, contingent workers and interns when it opens in 2019. Deere's ISG operations have leased space for nearly 20 years in Urbandale.

"ISG has been an important Urbandale business for many years, providing excellent jobs and support for community initiatives," Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg said in a news release. "The City Council and I appreciate the confidence that John Deere has placed in Urbandale and we are pleased to support this major investment by one of the city's highly-valued corporate citizens."

The building's proposed site is in Urbandale's newly branded Urban Loop area, northeast of the 100th Street interstate interchange that will open in 2018. City officials believe the project will be a catalyst for other development in the area.

"The city has worked for many years to prepare infrastructure for business and employment growth," City Manager A.J. Johnson said. "It is very gratifying to see Deere make a long-term commitment to Urbandale as we continue to strengthen our community and the region as a destination for information technology businesses."

The Iowa Economic Development Authority last month awarded $2.9 million in tax credits to the project through its High Quality Jobs Program. The development agreement approved by the City Council Tuesday provides Deere a tax-increment financing property tax rebate equal to 77 percent of the property taxes paid over 10 years, or an estimated $4.1 million.

Photo via Brandy Abbott/Pixabay