The Bradley County Economic Development Corporation Board met Monday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. in the BCEDC board room. After an invocation and the approval of the March 5 minutes, the board was introduced to Ozark Mountain Poultry's Plant Manager Ken Johnson and Facilities Manager Jeff Coffman by Mayor Bryan Martin. Mr. Johnson told the board that the Warren facility at last payroll had 288 employees. He said they are currently running four deboning lines. He said finding applicants has not been a problem in the area.
Mr. Coffman told those present at the meeting that one need they have is qualified maintenance people. Mrs. Jonalyn Reep of SEACBEC told the OMP managers that SEACBEC can develop a training program based on the needs of the company. Mrs. Donna Lawhon told the men about an industrial group that meets once a month and that maybe through this group common needs of local industries can be identified and that a training program could be developed based on all these needs. Mrs. Reep said she wanted to set up a meeting with them and her staff.
Mr. Johnson reviewed the history of OMP pointing out its beginnings with Ed Fryar. He said Mr. Fryar always seems to be ahead of the curve. He began with 12 employees and now employes 1300. Each of the plants and facilities of OMP specializes in one thing. All the chickens harvested are antibiotic free. The board was told that most of the chickens processed in the Warren plant are same-day harvested.
They told BCEDC that the "whole town has been good to us." They said that one need they have found in the community is the need for housing. "When we bring in management people, it is a struggle to find housing." BCEDC and Mayor Martin acknowledged that this is an area where there is a real need.
Mrs. Donna Lawhon reported that the soil study has been done of the Griggs property which is under consideration as the site for the construction of a feed mill. She said she is expecting a decision possibly in April.
Mayor Martin reported to the board that the water line on the bypass is 80% complete. He said that the rain has held up some of the work and that when the company hired to run lines under driveways rather than disrupt them gets started, he expects it to take about two months.
John Lipton, Chairman of the BCEDC Board, told the board members that a public hearing will be conducted April 9 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Drew Central to discuss the design of Bypass 278 to the west toward Warren. This bypass will be two of the four lanes of I-69.
Mr. Johnson reviewed the history of OMP pointing out its beginnings with Ed Fryar. He said Mr. Fryar always seems to be ahead of the curve. He began with 12 employees and now employes 1300. Each of the plants and facilities of OMP specializes in one thing. All the chickens harvested are antibiotic free. The board was told that most of the chickens processed in the Warren plant are same-day harvested.
They told BCEDC that the "whole town has been good to us." They said that one need they have found in the community is the need for housing. "When we bring in management people, it is a struggle to find housing." BCEDC and Mayor Martin acknowledged that this is an area where there is a real need.
Mrs. Donna Lawhon reported that the soil study has been done of the Griggs property which is under consideration as the site for the construction of a feed mill. She said she is expecting a decision possibly in April.
Mayor Martin reported to the board that the water line on the bypass is 80% complete. He said that the rain has held up some of the work and that when the company hired to run lines under driveways rather than disrupt them gets started, he expects it to take about two months.
John Lipton, Chairman of the BCEDC Board, told the board members that a public hearing will be conducted April 9 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Drew Central to discuss the design of Bypass 278 to the west toward Warren. This bypass will be two of the four lanes of I-69.
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