Canada Meat Group Inc. broke ground on its new facility at North Bay’s Airport Industrial Business Park on Sept. 14.
The Ukrainian company’s owners announced plans for the facility last February, after searching for appropriate land across Canada.
Invest North Bay, the city’s economic development arm, had worked on bringing Canada Meat to the city for two years.
"We are delighted to announce the establishment of our Canadian meat-processing facility in North Bay," said Oleksandr Zahrebelnyi, president of Canada Meat, in a news release.
"North Bay created a very compelling case for establishing a facility here and the local team has been extremely supportive. We are keen to build additional partnerships in the community and grow our business as we expand operations to Canada."
The complex will include a meat-processing plant and cold storage facility. The company’s goal, said the news release, is to increase the availability and sales of high-quality meat, Kosher meat products, and Halal meat products in Ontario and across Canada. The company additionally plans to export its products to the Middle East and Asia.
The plant is expected to employ up to 40 people when fully operational.
Zahrebelnyi and his colleagues operate a similar meat-processing plant, an abattoir, and a full-fledged cattle operation in Kiev, Ukraine.
North Bay officials applauded Canada Meat’s move to the city.
"We recognize the significant investment made by Oleksandr and his team and we look forward to the construction of their new facility in the Airport Industrial Business Park,” said Mayor Al McDonald in the release.
George Burton, president of Invest North Bay Development Corp., said he’s enjoyed getting to know Zahrebelnyi and his colleagues over the course of several visits.
“Oleksandr and his team already feel like part of our community and we wish them every success as they expand their operations to Canada and settle in North Bay,” Burton said.
