Senator Grassley Credits Creation of North Iowa Ag Industry Jobs to Work Ethic, Productivity

In recent months, agriculture-related companies in north Iowa have announced plans for the creation of upwards of 200 new jobs.

A $75 million expansion by Zoetis in Charles City will add about 70 new jobs. Expansion and renovations totaling $6.5 million at Cambrex in Charles City  is expected to add 40 jobs. The latest expansion coming to Unverferth Manufacturing in Shell Rock will create up to 65 new jobs. 

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, who’s home is in New Hartford, about eight miles from Unverferth, told our news department the fact those jobs are being created despite a worker shortage shows those companies value and count on Iowa’s work ethic.

In addition to the future jobs at Cambrex, Zoetis and Unverferth, Pure Prairie Farms (PPF) in Charles City is also looking for future growth. After being shut down since August 2019 by the former owners of the chicken processing plant,  PPF relaunched operations a month ago with about 50 employees. Officials hope to employ about 250 people if and when they return to running at full capacity.