A pilot program may bring higher-paid workers to St. Joseph.

The Buchanan County Economic Fund committee made an offer to Nestlé Purina Petcare Friday that would not only bring about a $10 million dollar investment to its current facility, but also would attract at least nine new employees to the area.

“For many years, we’ve tried to figure out a way to help recruit new employees,” said Cyndra Lorey, vice president of community development with the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce.

The committee offered the company a $60,000 five-year forgivable loan as well as an additional one-time incentive of $3,000 for each relocated employee. Those new positions, which would have to establish a permanent Buchanan County residence, would have an average salary of at least $50,000 a year. The company would need to maintain the annual average of 227 full-time jobs already in existence. Nestlé, located at 4502 Packers Ave., is a pet product manufacturer.

Ms. Lorey said that the economic fund is an opportunity to get more county funds for those jobs that get people to relocate here. The additional $3,000 per job would be used as extra incentive at the company’s discretion, she said.

“This is a pilot program,” Ms. Lorey said. “This is not something for every company.”

Dan Hausman, Eastern District commissioner, said that the committee may offer similar programs to companies on a case-by-case basis.

“The quality of jobs is a big part of the criteria,” he said.

The forgivable loans come from the voter-approved quarter-cent sales tax for economic development. Companies typically don’t have to repay the loan if they meet certain job-creation targets.

Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.