Global seed company opens Minnetonka headquarters

Syngenta Seeds formally opened its new North American headquarters in Minnetonka this morning.

The business, which will employ more than 300, will focus on developing high-yield corn and soybean seeds. The division is a sector of Swiss-based Syngenta, a $11.8 billion global company.

Syngenta Seeds president David Morgan said the new facility is an example of the company's strength in the seed business.

"All of us at Syngenta Seeds are pleased to further enlarge that contribution with the opening of this new headquarters, which signals our commitment to the region, to the state as well as our confidence in the long-term prospects of important work meeting the world's needs for food, feed and fuel," he said.

Governor Tim Pawlenty said he's pleased that Syngenta decided to build the facility in Minnesota, which he said shows the state's commitment to agriculture.