The facility was put into receivership this week.

Altona mayor Melvin Klassen says news of the closure was devastating, in light of the fact that the plant was so close to being completed and ready for operation.

Klassen says they have been unable to make contact with the owner of Sunbelt Prairie Products, Makhdoom Abbas.

Klassen says a number of companies in the pulse industry have inquired about the facility already.

The Sundbelt Prairie Products Plant is located just north of Altona on Highway 30

The group is made up of four municipalities; Altona, Gretna, Plum Coulee and the Rural Municipality of Rhineland.

Sunbelt Development invested in Sunbelt Prairie Products by financing the construction of the building at a cost of 3.2 million dollars.

A few years ago, the organization lost $300,000 in the failed West-Can Agra plant in Plum Coulee.

Klassen says despite those setbacks, he's still a firm believer that municipalities have an important role to play in driving economic development.

He says the four municipalities still own the Sunbelt Pprairie Products building, which will only increase in value.

He says their focus will turn to finding a new tenant for the building who can successfully run the plant and create employment for the region.

Klassen admits however, this was a big investment for the four communities to take on, and they will need to be very cautious in how they move forward with the

facility. 

~ Friday, November 20th 2009 ~