Frontier Co-op to expand in Benton County

Frontier Natural Products Co-op plans to construct a new storage building and 'Innovation Center” in Benton County.

The Norway-based natural foods company expects to spend about $3.4 million on the project. The expansion would include a 10,000-square-foot building for flammable storage and the Innovation Center to develop cosmetic and food products.

On Friday, the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved providing Frontier with $187,000 in state incentives, including tax credits and refunds, for the project.

To receive the funds, Frontier has to create two jobs and keep seven others. One of the new jobs and the seven retained jobs have to pay at least $24.91 an hour.

Benton County also is expected to provide a property tax abatement.

The company has about 375 employees in the Corridor and operates a 100,000-square-foot warehouse in North Liberty.

North of the Corridor, BCI Hawkeye Division of Cedar Falls also has plans for an expansion. The maker of corrugated boxes and retail displays received approval for $252,146 in tax refunds from the authority.

BCI expects to spend more than $13.5 million to build a new 168,400-square-foot warehouse and production plan in Cedar Falls, and will move from its existing plant in the city.

To receive the state incentives, BCI has to create five jobs that pay at least $17.29 an hour. The company currently employs 42 people in Cedar Falls.

l Comments: (319) 398-8366; matthew.patane@thegazette.com