Fish processing plant in the Falls!??

[CaptJohnWI]

I have heard a rumor that there is going to be a fish processing plant opened in the Falls. If so, I doubt the fish will be coming from the Bering Sea.

Anybody heard anything?

[WCT]

I haven't heard anything about a plant in the falls but the Red Lake Band recently got a large grant from the band down at Mystic Lake to renovate and reopen their Red Lake plant. Could be that's the one you heard about.? Old Sneller

[bassbuster1]

Today's paper says they are planning on 250,000 lbs of fish per day.That should clean out area lakes in a hurry .Thats the kind of business we want here. ah

[Rainydaze]

250,000lbs per day? Yikes! That shuts down allowable harvests for Northern Minnesota in about a couple weeks for the average joe. Note to self do not order walleye from menu. Do not order walleye from the menu. Chicken Chicken Chicken. There I think I've solved one end of the supply and demand equation. Ha! Good Fishing boys!

[Black_Bay]

From the article it sounds like these are going to be rough fish from Canadian tribal netting, at least in the beginning. I wonder where they're going to get rid of the non edible parts of 250,000 pounds of fish everyday? That's a lot of stink right there.

[Rainydaze]

So where is the actual plant going to be located? If it is here in the falls maybe it will freshen up the smell from the mill?

[89Bronco]

From the editorial page of the Daily Journal:

Fish Plant Good Match

Submitted by Journal Staff on May 11, 2007 - 1:10pm.

Filed under: Editorials

Borderland’s poised to net an opportunity for jobs and added economic health with a freshwater fish packaging operation planned for International Falls.

Sounds like a perfect match with Borderland.

Barry Barney told the Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board Monday that he has purchased a building in the Falls industrial park and expects to open in June with Phase I of his plans. This stage of the plans include packaging rough fish purchased from Canadian tribal members which will employ 10-15 people locally.

A plant is expected to be added to the building that will include processing lines and employ 40 to 60 people. That phase of the operation is planned to open by Sept. 1.

Barney said also plans to open a second facility next year that will employ an additional 40 to 50 employees.

Barney told the board he plans to start pay for the jobs at $10 an hour. And, he says the business will provide benefits for its employees. Originally from Minnesota, Barney told the board he treats workers well because hard work deserves decent pay and builds loyalty. We like that kind of thinking.

In addition, he says he’ll return a portion of his profits to the people who provide the fish and his employees. Again, good thinking.

Barney’s plan provides the area with another opportunity to use available resources — the fish — to benefit Canadian tribal members by providing income while at the same time offering Borderland jobs and opportunity. He estimates that the business will handle 250,000 pounds of fish each day.

And it appears that Barney has done his homework and will help the area’s designation as a JOBZ site pay off. Barney told the KEDA Board Monday that he had considered opening his business in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but instead decided to bring the business to International Falls because of the JOBZ benefits.

Welcome to the community, Mr. Barney. We wish you well, Your success will also be our success.

[Rainydaze]

Boy is this going to upset the smallmouth fisherman!

[bassbuster1]

KUDO'S TO K.E.D.A. This should wipe out the sportfishing industry in a matter of months, if anybody thinks they are not going to net walleye's,they better think again.This is just a smoke screen,eye's are more easily netted than any other fish.THE LAST THING THIS TOWN NEEDS IS A ROTTING FISH SMELL.

[Rainydaze]

I hear that Bassbuster! I'm the first on board when it comes to economic growth, but not with a tremendous downside possibility. Hmnnn which would you rather sell redhorse, suckers, bullheads perhaps.... OH yeah how about some freshwater Walleye? So funny how we can't get anything done around here but something with such potential danger to the sportfishery is coming in. Yep that might stink a bit too. Ever forget a few minnows in the baitwell? Try 250,000 fish entrails. I for one would like to hear about the plans for disposal of these. Lets say 1/2 of the overall weight of the fish is entrails, heads, tails... not being a math major I still believe that is 125,000 lbs that are going somewhere. I suppose they may use some for dog food? Hmnnn! Boy I have a tough time getting behind a netting operation of those proportions. By the way I was just kidding with the smallmouth post Bassbuster!

[bassbuster1]

One more thing why isnt this plant paying union wages, this is a slap in the face to all the union workers in town.This guy say's 250,000lb per day,that comes to roughly 60,000,000 lbs of fish per year.

[upnorth500]

Ok, I know nothing about the fish packing business but I think this guys numbers are a little optimistic. I also cannot see properly taking care of that much fish per day in the building that they bought in the JOBZ zone. I wish them well and God knows this town needs any new business offered but don't promise the world only to come up short and look silly doing it.

[uffdapete]

I agree that this town needs new business but NOT at the expense of the local fishery - if that's where the fish are coming from. Though it should bring in even more, angling provides a lot more business, revenue and jobs in this town than a fish processing plant ever will.

[Fish&Fowl]

I just had a discussion with this about the old man this morning (on the way to fish something OTHER than walleyes ) He doesn't sound too concerned about it, figuring only minimal numbers of fish will come from Rainy while most will come from Nipigon and other lakes further into Canada.

We also discussed the casino and numerous other big businesses that were supposedly moving in town and offering well-paying jobs. So far it seems like just another one of those "I'll believe when I see it" deals.