Work is set to begin in earnest this month on Brandon’s new flax crushing plant, following a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on a chilly morning on Nov. 14.
Rick Brugger, a Brandon consultant who arranged financing, said the local response has been positive for the facility, which will be built at a cost of $30 million on a 47-acre site in an industrial area on the city’s east side.
Concrete for the foundations is expected to be poured in the coming weeks, and Brugger expects the work to proceed smoothly.
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“We hope to be turning on the taps in June of next year,” he said. “A lot of positive things are happening on the oil side in terms of contracts. We’re very excited.”
The plant, to be operated by Shape Foods of Burnaby B.C., will produce omega 3 flax oil and meal for human consumption. The flax meal will contain about 13 percent oil. In all, 70,000 acres of flax will be required to meet the facility’s needs.
Flax producers from southwestern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan will be contracted to supply raw material for the crushing plant. Some are also on board as investors in the project, which will see farmers growing, sourcing and cleaning flax seed before it is delivered to the plant.
“It’s kind of nice because it will move them further up the value chain,” Brugger said.
“They will be involved with it right up to making deliveries at the door.”
