A company that develops biotech crops is looking to locate an operation in this area, officials said Monday.

Ventria Bioscience, of Sacramento, Calif., will be the subject of discussion at a meeting today of the Joint Economic Development Organization.

The JEDO group appropriates funds from a one-half cent sales tax in Shawnee County that goes toward economic development and improvements in infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

One item on the JEDO agenda is proposing an incentive package to try to lure Ventria, which is known for developing genetically modified grains and corn that can be used in pharmaceuticals. The company also is producing proteins that naturally occur in mother’s milk that can reduce the duration of acute diarrhea.

“Topeka and Shawnee County would like to be competitive” in the location search, said Marsha Sheahan, vice president of public relations for the Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

Sheahan said she wasn’t familiar with the kind of operation Ventria was wanting to start, nor which other communities might be vying for its business. Ventria officials could not be reached for comment.