Governor Culver was in Johnston today on the campus of Pioneer Hi-Bred International. Pioneer’s President Paul Schickler held a press conference to announce that Pioneer was expanding its Johnston campus and adding 400 new jobs at that location. The new buildings will be ready for occupancy in 2012.

The State of Iowa and the City of Johnston are supporting this expansion. Through the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Pioneer is receiving $7.8 million with $500,000 earmarked for job training. Mr. Schickler said without the support of the IDED and the state, “this would not be possible.”

Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld said this was an example of how a business, a state and a community can work together to give Iowa and Johnston an “economic shot in the arm.”

Here are some pictures from the event: