Site prepped for Warden canola oilseed plant

WARDEN, Wash. - The recession that toppled other businesses almost stopped plans for Pacific Coast canola's new oilseed processing plant in Warden.

But not quite.

When the recession's effects hit in 2008, the question of giving up or moving forward on building the Warden plant was discussed, said Joel Horn, the company's president and CEO, during the plant's groundbreaking Wednesday.

"The City of Warden said, 'If you keep moving forward, we'll hang in there with you,'" Horn said.

The Port of Warden, Grant County PUD and Washington state agencies followed suit.

In 2009, there were people who worked on the project at no charge, agreeing to be paid at closing, Horn said.

The project succeeded and the people were paid, he said.

"We paid back all of those folks," Horn recalled. Aside from special milestones related to his family, "it was the proudest moment of my life," he added.

Site preparation on the $109 million plant began this week, followed by the demolition of existing installations and pouring of the building's pad. Construction follows at a later date.

The plant is expected to start production in late 2012 or early 2013.

Between 30-40 new permanent jobs will be created at the facility in about 18 months. Positions include plant manager, equipment operators and maintenance.

The workers will produce canola oil and canola meal at the 24-7 operation.