SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that Deere & Company will utilize several programs designed to encourage economic growth in Illinois to construct a new technical center for research and development activities near John Deere headquarters in Moline.

Deere’s construction of a new technical center will result in the retention of 82 Illinois jobs. Deere & Company had originally announced it was considering the new technical center in February.

"We are proud that John Deere has decided to construct this facility on its home turf," Ryan said. "We have worked hard to retain jobs such as those at John Deere’s technical center. Ever since John Deere founded his company in 1836 at Grand Detour, Illinois, the company has been a technology leader. This new center will help ensure that John Deere will continue in that leadership role."

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) worked with John Deere on the project by providing a job training grant through the Industrial Training Program and tax incentives available through the recently completed extension of the Quad Cities Enterprise Zone. The project may also be eligible for tax credits under the governor’s EDGE (Economic Development for a Growing Economy) program.

"Using the tools provided through Governor Ryan’s leadership, we are able to keep Illinois jobs from moving to a neighboring state," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "In the same way that John Deere is building this facility to improve its global competitiveness, new economic development initiatives are helping Illinois attract and retain high quality companies and their employees."

Construction of the new building will be underway soon on the northeast section of land already occupied by John Deere’s Administration Center. The new technical center replaces an obsolete facility on River Drive in Moline. The one-story, 56,000 square feet technical center will house John Deere staff responsible for providing leadership in the application of new technologies to Deere products and manufacturing processes.