Brandon isn’t pinning its future on hogs, said the city’s economic development officer.
Maple Leaf’s decision to locate a pork plant here will draw the attention of other value-added meat processors looking to set down roots in a business friendly climate, Don Allan said.
“There’s no doubt we’ve got opportunity for further value-added meat processing here,” he said, adding Maple Leaf’s decision is a powerful endorsement for the city.
Brandon, which has no business tax, is expecting a boom in the construction, transportation, mechanical and service sectors to support the plant scheduled to start construction this spring.
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Allan said having that support in place could attract more value-added meat processors to the region, especially since the loss of the Crow grain transportation subsidy makes southwestern Manitoba a region with plenty of low-cost grain to feed livestock.
“Companies come here and do long-range planning because there’s not going to be any surprises,” said Allan.
“They know they’re not going to be hit with any crazy taxes.”
The city is eyeing up other value-added opportunities, including chicken, bison and ostrich processing plants.
Allan said he has heard a large broiler plant will be located somewhere in Western Canada in the next two years, and Brandon is a likely candidate.
The North Dakota-based North American Bison Co-operative is also looking for a new site for its second processing plant, and said three locations in Western Canada are being considered.
The region is also planning for growth in the potato sector.
Allan said the economic development board has been asked to prepare an information package for a company looking at building a french fry that would bring 500 new jobs to the area.
“We’ve sent out 200 community profiles in the past two months. That used to be enough to last a year.”
