The first business soon could locate in Missouri Western State University’s Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator.

The start-up company makes animal health biotherapeutics and medical devices. The business, which hasn’t been publicly named due to confidentiality issues, already has two products on the market.

The Buchanan County Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended on Thursday giving the company $500,000 in loans from the taxpayer-funded economic development fund.

“The exciting aspect to me is the fact that it is a growing company with phenomenal strength in the animal science area,” said Brad Lau, senior vice president of economic development for the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Lau said the veterinarians who started the business have made two visits to St. Joseph. Wes Remington, a St. Joseph businessman who helped start animal science companies, is supporting the project, said Ted Allison, chief executive officer of the Chamber.

The start-up business also is considering locating in Kansas. If it chooses St. Joseph, it would be the first tenant of the Science and Technology Incubator, the building recently completed on the Missouri Western campus.

The company expects to create 31 research and development jobs in St. Joseph within five years. Currently, the company is outsourcing the manufacturing of its animal health products, but that could change as the business grows.

“They’re trying to go to the next level,” Mr. Lau said. “We’re hopeful we’ll get the manufacturing here. It will probably be a few years before they go to that level.”

The advisory council recommended giving the business $300,000 in a forgivable loan, with $200,000 given as an interest-free loan to be repaid. The Buchanan County Commission will make the final decision about the loans.

The package would be one of the largest ever given by the county. Mr. Allison said working with start-up businesses requires a different approach.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re preparing for their next stage in terms of need for capital,” he said.

The business would have a total investment of $1.25 million. The loans would be used to purchase lab and office furniture to equip the space in the incubator.

The advisory committee considered two other requests from businesses on Thursday.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica asked for $135,000 to fund a $270,000 program to recruit scientists and executives to St. Joseph.

“There is great potential for increased investment on the campus. Much of that depends on their ability to recruit people,” said Cyndra Lorey, executive director of business relations and development for the Chamber.

Over the next three years, the animal science firm wants to add about 45 chemists, microbiologists and engineers earning $50,000 to $150,000 per year. Boehringer employs more than 400 people in St. Joseph. The fund would pay $3,000 for each new employee who establishes residency in Buchanan County.

“You’ve got a company that realizes it’s time to engage in the community and address this issue,” Mr. Allison said. “This is what we need more companies to do here.”

In addition, the committee recommended approving a forgivable loan of $50,000 for a soybean processing facility to add a plant to process glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production. The project would have a $23 million investment and create 14 jobs.

The commission may vote on awarding the loans next week.

Susan Mires can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.