Leaders of Elanco Animal Health have reaffirmed their commitment to that local campus following the company’s recent acquisition of Bayer’s animal health business.

That purchase prompted a thorough review of all the company’s plants and three of them were sold. But the company decided to keep the Fort Dodge one, and has committed to investing $106 million there over the next six years.

It will also create another 26 jobs and retain the current 441 jobs there.

“We are pleased to continue our work to serve farmers, veterinarians and pet owners through our manufacturing and R and D operations in Fort Dodge,” David Evans, executive director and site head for Fort Dodge-Elanco, said in a written statement.

The company will receive millions of dollars in aid from the state, county and city governments, plus job training assistance from Iowa Central Community College.

“The collaboration and support of the state, county, city, Iowa Central Community College and Growth Alliance leadership has been excellent and we look forward to continuing to build a leading animal health company through our operations in Iowa,” Evans said.

Elanco purchased the plant from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica in 2017 in an $885 million deal.

The plant was built by Fort Dodge Laboratories, and some longtime residents may still refer to the site as “the Labs.”

The company’s name was later changed to Fort Dodge Animal Health. The site was later owned by Pfizer Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica.

It has facilities for research and development along with manufacturing capability. Vaccines for dogs, cats, cattle and pigs are made there.

The plant contributes more than 40 percent of Webster County’s manufacturing gross regional product, according to the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

“We are happy to see Elanco stay within our community,” said Webster County Supervisor Mark Campbell.

“Keeping this plant is positive not only for Webster County, but the region as well,” he added.

“About 50 percent of Elanco’s employees commute from outside the county to the plant.”

Multiple levels of government came together to craft an incentive package for Elanco.

“All parties stepped up to the plate to create a package that would be competitive with the other locations under consideration,” said Dennis Plautz, the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. “It is one of the most creative incentive packages that I have seen in my years of economic development.”

That package includes:

• $2.2 million in direct incentives from the state.

• $3.8 million in indirect financing and tax credits from the state.

• $500,000 from Webster County.

• Job training grant of $330,000 from Iowa Central Community College.

• Tax increment financing rebate estimated at $480,000 from the city of Fort Dodge.

The plant will also be annexed into the city limits, entitling the company to lower water and sanitary sewer rates.