Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds joined representatives Wednesday from the Iowa Fertilizer Co. to announce the Lee County site as the $1.4 billion project that is expected to create 165 jobs and more than 2,000 construction-related jobs.

“If our income-tax structure was more competitive, we would be better able to compete for job and capital investment creation projects like this one,” Branstad said in the release. “It also will level the playing field for our existing Iowa companies, allowing them to grow and create even more jobs.”

According to a press release from the Office of the Governor, Iowa Fertilizer is a subsidiary of Orascom Construction Industries and is one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers.

“In addition to the jobs and massive capital investment this project will mean for Iowa, it also will have a tremendous impact for our ag economy,” Reynolds said. “In fact, when this fertilizer plant comes online, it could save Iowa farmers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”

by Jordyn Reiland