Potato town faces dim future
Aberdeen potato farmer Conan Feld stands atop his crop of spuds, which are all under contract with J.R. Simplot Co. Feld fears his small agricultural-based town will suffer a major blow when J.R. Simplot closes its Aberdeen potato processing plant in a couple of years. He's convinced, however, the company will continue its relationship with southeast Idaho spud growers because of the quality of their product.
Region braces for loss of $34 million Simplot facility, hundreds of jobs
By JOHN O'CONNELL
Capital Press
When J.R. Simplot Co. shutters its Aberdeen processing plant in favor of a modern facility to be built near Caldwell, potato farmer Conan Feld has faith that local growers will avoid financial harm.
Feld reasons his fields are at the heart of America's potato country, where the crop is consistently too good to replace. The 37-year-old is less optimistic about the future of the small southeast Idaho agricultural community where he was born and raised.
On Nov. 9, Simplot announced plans to close three of its older Idaho plants in Aberdeen, Nampa and the Caldwell area. Simplot officials vow the 380,000-square-foot replacement plant will represent the company's largest single investment in Idaho. Its improved efficiencies will conserve water, reduce emissions and enable Simplot to achieve the same output as the three older plants with a fraction of the workforce.
The existing plants will remain open until the new facility is operational, likely by the spring of 2014. The so-called "super plant" will be staffed by 250 employees, a net job loss of just under 800 in the three communities.
As for the growers, "we've been told it's going to be business as usual," said Feld, who contracts his entire crop with Simplot. "The potatoes will be freighted to the super plant.
"I think there are still a lot of unanswered questions. My hope is they schedule a meeting and sit down with us and explain to us their thought process.
Weather Nampa Id - News
Motorcyclists took to the streets on a 76-mile ride to benefit the Idaho Foodbank and State Veterans Home Sunday, beginning in Nampa with stops in Marsing and Melba. Dennis Wheeler of Nampa waits to set out on the Turkey Run Motorcycle Ride. by jfunk
29, 2011 outside the Idaho Department of Fish and Game office on Powerline Road in Nampa, Idaho. – AP A Pakistani woman sits at her door during a power outage in Karachi, Pakistan Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. – ASSOCIATED PRESS Spain's Rafael Nadal
The 37-year-old is less optimistic about the future of the small southeast Idaho agricultural community where he was born and raised. On Nov. 9, Simplot announced plans to close three of its older Idaho plants in Aberdeen, Nampa and the Caldwell area.
We'll be collecting donations for the mission, the Salvation Army, the Idaho Foodbank and Jubilee House outside our studio in Boise, at the Idaho Center in Nampa, and the Fred Meyer in Twin Falls. We'd love for you to stop by, make a donation,
Cheers: I would like to commend Karcher Nazarene Church in Nampa for the most beautiful tribute to our veterans. The Retired Col. Curt Bowers of the US Army spoke, the worship team sang patriotic songs honoring our veterans.
#weather Right now the weather in Nampa, ID (83686) is Clear and 25°F
#weather Right now the weather in Nampa, ID (83686) is Clear and 29°F
#weather Right now the weather in Nampa, ID (83686) is Cloudy and 41°F
#weather Right now the weather in Nampa, ID (83686) is Cloudy and 36°F
#weather Right now the weather in Nampa, ID (83686) is Sunny and 45°F It feels colder, but it is a great day for a walk.