The Johnston City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 25-252, approving a development agreement with Pioneer Hybrid International, a business unit associated with Corteva, to expand research-and-development space at 7200 Northwest 70th Avenue.

City staffer Josh said the project would expand “Building 15” by about 65,000 square feet, add 34 growth chambers to supplement the 32 currently in use and represents a total private investment of $27,000,000. The agreement sets a construction-completion deadline of December 2027 and requires creation of at least 13 full-time jobs by Jan. 1, 2028 that must be retained through the agreement’s term.

In addition to the job-creation requirement, the agreement specifies wage minimums: Josh said eight of those positions would need a starting wage of $66,000 annually and five would need a starting wage of at least $105,000. In exchange for those commitments, the city will provide a tax-increment-financing (TIF) rebate of 100% for up to six years, not to exceed $2,100,000.

Josh also told the council the agreement allows the company to assign the contract to a related entity (for example, a newly created subsidiary) so long as the assignee “would need to conduct a similar business” and meet qualification provisions in the agreement.

No members of the public addressed the council during the hearing. Council moved to approve the resolution and the motion passed by roll call with all recorded votes in favor.

The council did not identify a named mover or seconder for the motion in the transcript record; the city clerk recorded the unanimous vote. The agreement includes reporting and performance provisions and will terminate on Dec. 31, 2034 unless provisions are triggered earlier.