The Iowa Economic Development Authority will be asked today to approve $108,000 in state High Quality Jobs Program incentives for website designer and digital marketing company Flying Hippo Inc.’s move from Urbandale to leased space in downtown Des Moines.

 The Des Moines City Council has approved $21,600 as the local contribution that is required to secure the state incentives. Flying Hippo was founded in 1999 in Des Moines and moved to Urbandale after its office space was razed to make way for the Wells Fargo & Co. expansion. The state incentives are in the form of a $54,000 forgivable loan and a $54,000 five-year interest-free loan.

 The expansion would create 18 new jobs over the next three years paying an average starting wage of $56,000 per year, growing to an average annual wage at the end of three years of $70,000, according to a report to the Des Moines City Council. The company currently has 21 employees.

 The total cost of the relocation is estimated at $2.6 million.

The IEDA also will consider tax incentives for ProbioFerm LLC’s $1.9 million expansion in Urbandale.

 The project will be financed in part by a $1.7 million from Bankers Trust Co. According to a report to the Urbandale City Council, ProbioFerm is seeking $89,560 in tax credits and sales tax refunds under the High Quality Jobs Program.

Urbandale would provide a $53,000 local match in the form of an industrial property tax exemption or through tax increment financing. Read more