The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board today (Friday) awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to 13 companies for job creation and expansion projects. The awards will assist in the creation of 257 jobs and will result in over $22 million in new capital investment for the state. The board approved assistance for planned or proposed projects located in 13 communities, including two projects in Council Bluffs and one in Scranton,

In Council Bluffs, Gavilon Ingredients, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gavilon Agricultural Holding Company was awarded tax benefits by the board for a $4.5-million capital investment to construct an animal feed handling facility in Council Bluffs. The facility will have an attached storage and container loading terminal capabilities. The project is expected to create 11 jobs, nine of which are incented.

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tyson Foods, owns and operates a prepared food facility in Council Bluffs that produces beef and pork products. The company is planning to expand its operations by installing new equipment. Their project was awarded tax benefits by the board for the $9.5 million capital investment that is set to create 139 jobs, of which 22 are incented.

And Scranton Manufacturing, based in Scranton, is planning to expand its current facility to accommodate new market demand. The $2.5 million capital investment was awarded $250,000 in direct financial assistance through the federally funded Economic Development Set-Aside (EDSA) program. The project is set to create 70 jobs, of which 50 are incented. The company primarily produces a variety of waste management trucks and trash compactors and sells to both a national and international market.