Vermeer Corp. Expands Iowa Footprint with $102 Million Bondurant Facility
Bondurant, Iowa – Vermeer Corp., a Pella-based manufacturer of agricultural and industrial equipment, announced plans Friday to construct a 300,000-square-foot production facility in Bondurant, a project representing a $102.65 million investment and the creation of 182 jobs. The expansion signifies continued growth for the family-owned company and a deepening commitment to its Iowa roots.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board approved more than $5.13 million in incentives for the project through the state’s new Business Incentives for Growth (BIG) program. This marks the first awards issued under the program, which was established by the Legislature in 2025 to bolster economic competitiveness through tax benefits.
According to IEDA documents, the new facility will also include 12,000 square feet of office space, along with parking and shipping/receiving areas. The jobs created will offer an average wage of $35.11 per hour.
Vermeer intends to acquire 186 acres in Bondurant for the project, which will initially support more than 300 employees, including those newly created, to meet increasing demand for the company’s industrial equipment and parts.
“I’m incredibly proud of this business my grandfather, Gary Vermeer, began 78 years ago and the team doing the work to equip Vermeer customers around the world,” said Jason Andringa, president and CEO of Vermeer, in a released statement. “While Pella will always be home to our headquarters, the need for Vermeer equipment has continued to grow and the innovation coming from Vermeer requires continued investment both in Pella and beyond.”
This Bondurant project builds on Vermeer’s recent expansion efforts. Three years ago, the company opened a 108,000-square-foot operation in Des Moines, currently employing 143 people. Since 2016, Vermeer has also expanded its facilities in Greenville, South Carolina. Pella, Iowa; Goes, Netherlands; and Queensland, Australia, and increased its ownership stake in a manufacturing operation in Australia.
The city of Bondurant is contributing over $29.45 million in incentives, including a six-year sliding scale property tax abatement, infrastructure support, connection fee waivers, and building permit discounts.
Bondurant City Administrator Marketa Oliver described the Vermeer project as a “game-changer” for the community. The facility will be located on the Timmins Certified Site on the city’s southeast side, adjacent to Interstate 80, opening up approximately 500 acres for future industrial development. The city is also investing in a new road to the site, benefiting both Vermeer and the public.
“It cracks open 500 acres of industrial development with infrastructure, and many of those sites are becoming certified sites, which means we have the due diligence in place [to] be development ready and to be flexible and adept at working with developers and companies that want to build,” Oliver said.
Oliver also highlighted the project’s potential to create a more balanced tax base for the city, reducing its reliance on residential property taxes. Upon completion, Vermeer will become the third-largest private employer in Bondurant, trailing only Amazon’s distribution and sortation centers.
IEDA documents indicate the project will have a significant positive impact on Iowa’s gross domestic product. The report emphasized the multiplier effect of manufacturing jobs, noting that Vermeer’s investment will stimulate demand for upstream suppliers throughout the state’s manufacturing ecosystem.
In addition to the Vermeer project, the IEDA board approved incentives for four other companies on Friday:
- Arconic US LLC (Bettendorf): $6.5 million in incentives for a $131 million investment creating 40 jobs.
- CCB Packaging (Hiawatha): $343,497 in incentives for a 65,000-square-foot expansion creating nine jobs.
- LMI US LLC (Waverly): $660,000 in incentives for the purchase of an existing facility creating 275 jobs.
- Sewer Equipment Company of America (Vinton): $84,375 in incentives for the purchase of an existing facility creating 30 jobs.
