The Rancher’s Choice Beef Co-op is switching gears.
Instead of purchasing a ready-made plant in Ferndale Washington it has been decided the group will now construct a new facility.
“When our engineers that we hired went out there we decided on their advice not to purchase the building itself and we will be building a new building in Dauphin,” said co-op director Frieda Krpan.
“In the cost of the total project it is not going to make any difference. So the total project is still basically the same. Its just that the building itself will now be built by Canadian hands, probably Dauphin hands.”
During a meeting of the Rancher’s Choice executive Dec. 29 it was decided that the co-op would engage DLS Engineering in Dauphin to do the required environmental proposal for the provincial government in conjunction with the city’s.
“People always ask me when are you breaking ground? When they start to drill test holes next week, I think that is breaking ground,” said Krpan.
However, while the co-op is not buying the Ferndale facility it is still interested in the equipment inside the building.
“We have put in the definitive offer for all the equipment. The initial Chapter 11 hearing was held Dec. 17 and our offer was part of the presentation,” said Krpan.
A Washington-based lawyer was secured to represent Rancher’s Choice during that hearing, which also included presentations from creditors regarding what was owed.
“(This) really wasn’t a surprise to us,” said Krpan.
“We were already aware of what was owed. So the judge will have another hearing in the beginning of the new year and hopefully things will be settled then. In the scheme of Chapter 11s its a pretty straightforward matter. It’s not like there is hundreds of creditors. That’s not the case.”
As soon as Ranchers Choice has the details regarding the status of the equipment its engineering firm will draw up the plans for the new building, said Krpan.
Investing
According to Krpan there is more and more people stepping forward to invest in the project.
“Now that people know that this is basically a done deal some people are all of a sudden realizing, ‘hey I better get on the band wagon here.’
Until the new temporary administrative office in Dauphin’s city hall is set up people can call Krpan for more information at (204) 646-2543.
It is asked that people not call after 10 p.m.
MACC
To avoid conflict of interest issues, Krpan has temporarily stepped down from her director’s position with the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation.
Krpan will return to the position after the financing for Rancher’s Choice is finalized.
Border opening
Krpan emphasized that the United States department of Agriculture’s recent announcement regarding the border opening up to Canadian cattle will have no effect on Rancher’s Choice, “in any way, shape or form.”
“There is a misunderstanding. People seem to think that it’s for older cattle and it definitely is not. It’s very clear in the bulletin from the USDA that the cattle under 30 months are the only ones that will be allowed in live, that selected meat from older animals may be allowed in, but it is still open to comment.”
Instead of purchasing a ready-made plant in Ferndale Washington it has been decided the group will now construct a new facility.
“When our engineers that we hired went out there we decided on their advice not to purchase the building itself and we will be building a new building in Dauphin,” said co-op director Frieda Krpan.
“In the cost of the total project it is not going to make any difference. So the total project is still basically the same. Its just that the building itself will now be built by Canadian hands, probably Dauphin hands.”
During a meeting of the Rancher’s Choice executive Dec. 29 it was decided that the co-op would engage DLS Engineering in Dauphin to do the required environmental proposal for the provincial government in conjunction with the city’s.
“People always ask me when are you breaking ground? When they start to drill test holes next week, I think that is breaking ground,” said Krpan.
However, while the co-op is not buying the Ferndale facility it is still interested in the equipment inside the building.
“We have put in the definitive offer for all the equipment. The initial Chapter 11 hearing was held Dec. 17 and our offer was part of the presentation,” said Krpan.
A Washington-based lawyer was secured to represent Rancher’s Choice during that hearing, which also included presentations from creditors regarding what was owed.
“(This) really wasn’t a surprise to us,” said Krpan.
“We were already aware of what was owed. So the judge will have another hearing in the beginning of the new year and hopefully things will be settled then. In the scheme of Chapter 11s its a pretty straightforward matter. It’s not like there is hundreds of creditors. That’s not the case.”
As soon as Ranchers Choice has the details regarding the status of the equipment its engineering firm will draw up the plans for the new building, said Krpan.
Investing
According to Krpan there is more and more people stepping forward to invest in the project.
“Now that people know that this is basically a done deal some people are all of a sudden realizing, ‘hey I better get on the band wagon here.’
Until the new temporary administrative office in Dauphin’s city hall is set up people can call Krpan for more information at (204) 646-2543.
It is asked that people not call after 10 p.m.
MACC
To avoid conflict of interest issues, Krpan has temporarily stepped down from her director’s position with the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation.
Krpan will return to the position after the financing for Rancher’s Choice is finalized.
Border opening
Krpan emphasized that the United States department of Agriculture’s recent announcement regarding the border opening up to Canadian cattle will have no effect on Rancher’s Choice, “in any way, shape or form.”
“There is a misunderstanding. People seem to think that it’s for older cattle and it definitely is not. It’s very clear in the bulletin from the USDA that the cattle under 30 months are the only ones that will be allowed in live, that selected meat from older animals may be allowed in, but it is still open to comment.”
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