Odessa PDA builds on successes

In the past 16 years, the Odessa Public Development Authority has been able to assist several private entities in the construction of their operational space through funding provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Revitalization Board and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. The majority of these projects are thriving in our area and providing much needed jobs and commerce to Odessa and Lincoln County. The Odessa group’s projects have been going through exciting changes recently, and we wanted to highlight these successes.

The meat processing plant, located in the Odessa Industrial Park and operated by the Livestock Processors Cooperative Association (LPCA), has worked hard to recruit and retain the right mix of staff at all levels this past year and now has a total of 17 full-time and part-time employees.

Vendors such as Gebbers Farms, SHB Meats and Empire Meats have all increased their sales volumes steadily over this past year, helping to improve the plant’s financial situation. Their focus for the near future is to solidify a relationship with a solid anchor distributor to provide a year-round outlet for member/producers through LPCA services.

North Basin Seed, a seed production/cleaning facility located in the Odessa Industrial Park, recently underwent construction, adding an additional production line to its operation. North Basin Seed is one of the Authority’s longest running and most successful projects, having seven full-time employees and one part-timer.

Seed-Rite, a seed production/marketing facility located in the Odessa Industrial Park has three employees and is also one of the Authority’s longest running and most successful projects.

Barr-Tech, a composting facility, located outside of Sprague, is up to about 25 employees, full- and part-time, including contracted drivers. This facility recycles organic material from municipal, commercial and industrial sources and then sells the end compost product to agricultural, garden and erosion control projects needing soil amendment. Although this project is not located in Odessa, Barr-Tech has proven to be a successful partnership with the OPDA and provides a positive economic boost for Lincoln County.

The OPDA is now closer than ever to finalizing the sale of the Odessa oilseed extraction and biodiesel plant to Global Clean Energy Holdings and its subsidiary Sustainable Oils, Inc. The company plans to upgrade the facility with local contractors and regional suppliers and then reopen and operate the facility, locally employing 20-30 full-time employees. It also plans to work with local farmers to provide the oilseed to be used at the facility and offer toll crushing to regional customers. The Authority hopes to have this transaction closed by the end of the summer.

Additionally, the Odessa Public Development Authority has a 5,000-square-foot vacant building on two acres in the Odessa Industrial Park zoned for a light industrial/commercial business. We are looking to fill this vacant space with a project that can bring jobs and an economic boost to the community. If you know of a business that fits these requirements, please contact the Odessa Public Development Authority at info@odessapda.com.

Stacey Rasmussen is the manager of the Odessa Public Development Authority.