Lt. Governor Joe Kernan and Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson joined Dow AgroSciences company officials today to announce a significant expansion at the company's Indianapolis headquarters.

Dow AgroSciences will consolidate its research and development group, moving its biotechnology projects from San Diego to Indianapolis, creating 20 to 40 new, professional jobs.

The move will allow the company's research and development department to more effectively utilize lab capacity in Indianapolis, as well as provide better career development opportunities for Dow AgroSciences research and development employees. Consolidating to one location will also enhance project management through better coordination of projects and programs.

"At Dow AgroSciences, we are committed to innovation that will help us constantly improve what is essential to human progress by mastering science and technology," said Charlie Fischer, President and CEO of Dow AgroSciences. "Our research efforts are essential to such progress, and we are proud to enhance our Indianapolis World Headquarters through this strategic consolidation of scientists and laboratories."

The relocation of programs and staff is scheduled to be complete some time during the third quarter 2002.

"Dow AgroSciences' decision to locate this biotechnology research group in Indiana is a great win for the state," said Lt. Governor Joe Kernan, who heads the Indiana Department of Commerce. "This initiative represents the perfect blend between two of the state's strongest sectors - life sciences and agriculture - and we are proud of the partnership between the Indiana Department of Commerce, the city, the Indy Partnership and Dow AgroSciences that made it happen."

The city of Indianapolis is also pleased with this expansion.

"Dow AgroSciences is one of Indianapolis' premiere health and life sciences companies and one that we are extremely proud to say calls Indianapolis its home," said Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. "Today is a particularly exciting time for Indianapolis and Central Indiana, as we are linking a number of critical resources in government, higher education and private industry to grow our Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative. We warmly welcome this important new addition to our community and look forward to continued partnerships with Dow AgroSciences."

The Indiana Department of Commerce worked with the city of Indianapolis and the Indy Partnership to ensure the expansion in Indiana. Commerce offered $66,000 from the Skills Enhancement Fund to help defray the cost of training new and existing employees and awarded the city $375,000 from the Industrial Development Grant Fund to assist in improvements required by the expansion. The city of Indianapolis will support tax abatements totaling $1.3 million.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of more than US $3 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.