A major announcement for the Portage la Prairie area was made Wednesday morning at the JR Simplot plant, just west of the city.
The company is investing $460,000,000 to expand the facility and double production.
Premier Brian Pallister says he's tremendously pleased people are investing in the province.
"Obviously, growing up in this area of the province, of course I'm excited for this area," he says, "We have seen some hardships here. We lost a number of major employers a number of years ago, and so seeing the province on the way back up, and my home community, and the central part of the province come back, is really satisfying."
RM of Portage Reeve Kam Blight says a lot of effort went into this and is enthused to have Simplot decide to expand here.
"And we're just starting to wrap our heads around what it's really going to mean for our joint community, and the province of Manitoba. It's just nice to have a company such as Simplot recognize the value of our municipalities."
Portage Mayor Irvine Ferris is impressed with the enthusiasm of the people who were at the announcement.
"It says to me that we've got some very, very good partners," he says, "First of all, I think people know that we've had a long-term partnership with the RM of Portage, and of course, we also have a partnership with the province. We could not have done this without our partnerships."
Simplot President and CEO Bill Whittaker stresses a commitment like this is generational, and the large number of people at the announcement is a positive sign.
"What's particularly interesting to me is to feel the energy in the room for this project," he says, "And know that we're wanted, and everybody does what they say they're going to do."
Source : Steinbachonline