Hundreds flock to Colfax for $15M Beck’s Hybrid opening

COLFAX — Beck’s Hybrids hosts an annual field day at each of its facilities and Tuesday it was time for the Colfax warehouse and test-plot facility to join that rotation.

Corn, soy and cover crop products are grown in 190 test acres of varying soil types right on site, and Tuesday’s field day allowed the 1,300-plus visitors to take a tour via a tram tour vehicle.

The $15 million Beck’s facility was first announced in May 2015.

Gov. Terry Branstad and several local officials were on hand to help celebrate progress on one of the area’s largest new facilities built in recent years. He was at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the seed facility that has nearly completed its large warehouse and test-plot facility north of Interstate 80.

It was Branstad’s third visit to Colfax in three months — the first for a tour of Beck’s in May while the facility was under construction and in July for a skilled labor education discussion with Colfax-based Dickerson Mechanical, Inc.

“I’m proud of the resiliency that I’ve seen here in Colfax,” Branstad said. “Beck’s is a great addition to the community. It’s also a great opportunity for farmers to have a family-owned company here, producing quality seed corn.”

Jasper County Economic Development Corporation Director Chaz Allen, who was also at Tuesday’s event, has said the facility will generate nearly 50 jobs. Beck’s Hybrid President Scott Beck commented about what kind of jobs the facility will generate.

“Here, we’ll have two or three practical research people, two or three sales support and one or two warehouse people for sure,” Beck said. “We also have sales representatives and field agronomists, and we’ll advertise once we’re ready to hire.”

Colfax Mayor David Mast, another local official in attendance, said he hopes those jobs will employ local workers and relocate new families to Colfax.

“Having the governor come out gives us visibility, and helps us make connections,” Mast said. “Awareness of where we’re located and what our capabilities are always helps.”

Based in Atlanta, Ind., Beck’s is the largest family-owned retail seed company in the U.S. with locations in five states. Jasper County and the City of Colfax gave the company a five-year, sliding scale tax abatement for locating in the town of 2,093.

Beck’s will bring a much needed revenue boost to Colfax’s general fund through new property tax revenue. Beck’s will receive a 75 percent abatement the first year, 60 percent in year two, 45 percent the third year, 30 percent the fourth year and 15 percent the fifth year.

The Colfax City Council amended the city’s zoning ordinance at its regular monthly meeting Monday to rezone a portion of the Beck’s property from agricultural to business/commercial in a 4-0 vote. Colfax and the Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved Beck’s annexation into the city limits in July and May, respectively.

Branstad said he wants to do all he can to help agriculture attain and maintain profitability.

“We want to do all we can — as a state government — to be a partner with Beck’s seed and the community of Colfax and farmers to grow the economy,” he said.

Mike Mendenhall contributed to this report.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com