WARDEN - Site preparation work at Warden's Pacific Coast Canola oilseed processing plant is nearly done and the company started hiring management.

Onsite the first concrete pours are expected to take place in January, according to Jon Austin, a company spokesperson.

The company is bringing on managers in early 2012 to take part in the construction phase of the project and to form the plant's operating procedures, according to the company.

The management positions now posted online are: production manager, environmental health and safety manager, logistics manager, plant engineer and quality assurance manager. Company officials are likely to hire more staff by fall 2012 to complete training before the plant begins operations. Between 30 to 40 new jobs are expected to be created.

The hiring schedule shows the project is on time and on budget, points out Joel Horn, president and CEO of the company.

"We're very excited to see the activity on the site grow in scope and intensity as the Warden project moves from the planning stage to reality," Horn stated. "We're on schedule to begin operations in early 2013 and the community continues to be a great partner with us at every level. Our neighbors' enthusiasm for the project confirms that we picked the right place at the right time for this facility."

The people hired for the management roles select employees to work at the plant.

The company broke ground on the $110 million plant in September and anticipates starting operations in early 2013.

The plant is being built by Industrial Construction Group, of Portland, Ore.

Austin describes the facility as a main processing building to be abutted by support buildings and structures.

The buildings are "related to receiving and transporting incoming seed and to storing and transporting the oil and meal outputs," he commented.

The buildings and structures sit on the rail spur located along the west side of the property. The plant is situated on the southern end of the property.

Warden Mayor Roldan Capetillo said he sees a lot of construction going on when he drives by the site.

"As far I know, things are moving right along," he commented.

The community is excited about the plant and comments at city council meetings are positive, Capetillo said.

Warden City Administrator Mike Thompson said the city's building inspector is reviewing the company's design plans online as they're submitted.

"I think all of the foundation plans have been submitted now and approved," he commented. "The steel framing plans are in the process of being approved at this time."