J.R. Simplot Company officials say they are shutting down the Jacklin Seed facility in northern Idaho and moving the bluegrass seed operation to Washington state.

Simplot spokesman David Cuoio in an announcement Thursday tells the Coeur d'Alene Press (http://bit.ly/VDbmG9) that 25 production employees at the Post Falls facility in Idaho will not be sent to the new site in Othello, Wash.

But he says 40 employees in research and development, administration and sales will be moved to Washington state.

J.R. Simplot Company acquired Jacklin Seed in 1997. Jacklin Seed General Manager Chris Claypool says the growing area for the bluegrass industry in the Pacific Northwest has shifted.

Jacklin Seed products are used by golf courses, lawn care companies, athletic field managers and others.

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Information from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com