Fremont Beef Co. officials are looking to add some of the jobs lost when Japan closed its doors to U.S.-based companies that were exporting beef products into the Asian country.
To do that, company officials are looking for help from Fremont.
Tonight, Fremont City Council members will consider a resolution that would authorize Mayor "Skip" Edwards to submit a $505,000 Community Development Block Grant application for Fremont Beef, according to information from the city. Those funds will help pay for the company's proposed $5.4 million restructuring, which is hoped to add 80 new jobs.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the council chambers of the Municipal Building, 400 E. Military Ave. It is preceded by a study session at 6:30 p.m. Both are open to the public.
Fremont Beef President Les Leech said the company is being forced to "completely retool" its product lines because of the Japanese ban on U.S. beef set in December 2003.
"This will allow us to do a few things," Leech said.
The company would begin manufacturing case-ready beef products for Swift & Co., a large beef slaughter house in Greeley, Colo. Also, the company would make a ground, seasoned pork product to export to Japan. A third new production line would be created to manufacture a marinated, thinly sliced beef product to be exported to Mexico.
Current plans are to have the equipment installed in early summer, said Leech, but even after production of the new lines begin it may take 1 1/2 years for the new workers to be added.
"It'll be a gradual process," he said. "But we have to do something. We're losing money. This ban has caused us to lay off 160 people. This will let us put some of those jobs back.
"Everything we're going to be doing will require us to get new equipment," he said. "We're not going to be able to use our current equipment. We're going to ask for a little help. Otherwise, we are going to have to borrow the money."
City officials want to do whatever they can to help a Fremont company succeed, said Derril Marshall, interim city administrator.
"This will help us keep an existing industry and add back some of the jobs that were lost," Marshall said. "Any number of new jobs is good for the community.
"If this is going to help keep them stable and in business, we want to help," he said. "We hope that if Japan ever opens that market back up that eventually Fremont Beef Co. will expand back to its original employment base."
Other items council members will face include:
* An application for a satellite Keno sales outlet at Franky & Oly's, 353 W. 23rd St.
* A Request from MainStreet of Fremont to close a block of Park Avenue, the Ilgenfritz parking lot and the Keene Square parking lot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 for the Fiesta Fremont Festival.
* An ordinance to prohibit keeping vicious dogs in the city limits.
* An ordinance allowing police officers to use air guns.
* Various applications associated with John C. Fremont Days.
Print This Story
Email This Story
The first time I saw ALL FOUR of the movies on TV, I knew I had seen something very special. I STILL feel that way.