Iowa State and ExSeed Genetics L.L.C. have combined forces to propel Central Iowa to becoming a world leader in crop research.

The university and the company recently announced the decision to construct a “world class biotechnology research facility” in ISU’s Research Park.

Larry Johnson, professor in charge of the Center for Crop Utilization Research, said ExSeed seems eager to break ground, but because of weather concerns, a construction date has not been set.

ExSeed Marketing Director Kim Kuebler said he expects construction at ISU Research Park to start within the first quarter of this year, or the first half of the year at the latest.

Students will not have to wait long to be impacted by ExSeed’s relationship with ISU. The company already has a strong relationship with the university.

“We’ve had a great working relationship with those folks,” Johnson said. “[I believe it] will only get stronger.”

Johnson said ExSeed already employs students, both undergraduates and graduates, at its facility in the Food Science building.

Johnson said there currently are about 10 undergraduates working in the laboratories, and he anticipates that the company will be looking for more employees.

With the construction of the research facility, more people will be needed to meet the increase in research activity, Johnson said.

ISU President Martin Jischke played a role in bringing ExSeed into ISU Research Park, and he said an attractive feature for the company was the “talented student body.”

Jischke said he and Gov.-elect Tom Vilsack presented the advantages Ames had over other locations under consideration to the ExSeed Board of Directors in St. Louis.

Kuebler said the general attitude of Jischke and Vilsack’s presentation and the support systems the university’s research park offered were impressive. Yet, ExSeeed also recognized the caliber of the students in the Ames area.

ISU students “should look to ExSeed as a future employer,” Kuebler said.

Graduates with degrees ranging from genetics to molecular chemistry could find opportunities at ExSeed’s new facility in ISU Research Park, he said.

Johnson said he is excited about the potential developments that could result from a closer relationship with ExSeed. He said he hopes to join ExSeed in developing new lines of specialty corn starches, which are value-added crops.

“Central Iowa is already the seed capital of the world,” Johnson said. “This [move] just builds on that.”

Jischke agreed, adding that the new ExSeed facility will help make “central Iowa a world leader in plant genetics.”