October 28, 2010

US pork processor picks Iowa for plant operations

North American Co-Pack confirmed it will move to Le Mars, Iowa, where it will process pork products from an existing plant, according to a local report.

"We are coming to town," said Bret Peterson, the Wisconsin-based company's chief financial officer.

North American Co-Pack expects the 18,000-square-foot facility to eventually employ up to 100 people and produce a full range of processed pork products to retail, foodservice and industrial markets, the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) said.

IDED offered the company US$255,000 in jobs-creation loans in mid-September. The package includes US$127,500 in a forgivable loan and US$127,500 in a zero-interest five-year loan, the Sentinel reported.

The company plans to make a US$1.3 million capital investment and create 54 jobs, 13 of which would be supported by the state loans.