November 28, 2011

Rainy River Future Development Corporation, Fort Frances

There were cheers at the long-awaited official opening of the Rainy River District Regional Abattoir in January 2010.  The new $2 million, 3,600 sq. ft. facility located in Emo has the capacity for 20 animals a day, and runs two days a week. 

“It was a long haul,” says George Emes, Xhair of the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.  “We were involved since the first abattoir meeting back in 1997, and this facility represents a positive move towards the development of our economy.”

Provincial funding included $1 million for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and $365,000 from the province’s abattoir expansion program, while FedNor contributed $500,000.   

The abattoir increases market options and decreases processing costs for cattle producers.  It operates as a not-for-profit business handling pork, bison, elk, sheep and goats, as well as beef.  Membership started with 90 participants and has grown to 113. 

Photo:  Kathryn Duchnicky of FedNor, and Steve Loshaw, President of RRDRAI, celebrate the grand opening of the abattoir.