Poultry Processor to Receive Provincial Loan
NOVA SCOTIA - Valley poultry processor ACA Co-operative will receive a $3.5-million loan from the provincial government to help in developing its products and customer base.The money is coming from the government’s industrial expansion fund, reports The Chronicle Herald.
"ACA is the sole poultry processor in Nova Scotia and a homegrown success story," Kings South MLA David Morse said of the company, which has its plant in his riding. "The government has made a wise investment in assisting ACA on developing its products and markets."
Labour Minister Mark Parent, also MLA for Kings North, said in a release that ACA is one of the biggest agricultural and food processing firms in the Atlantic region.
"Its employees are among the most skilled. In today’s competitive marketplace, a workforce such as ACA’s is extremely important."
ACA has 650 employees and creates the same number of spinoff jobs. Since its inception in 1943, it has become the fourth-largest farmers’ co-op in the region, operating not only the processing plant but breeder barns, a hatchery, feed mill, egg division, retail fuel division, farm equipment division and an outlet store.
Along with chicken, ACA processes nearly all of the turkeys and about 25 per cent of the eggs available in Nova Scotia.
The company’s large customers include Sobeys, Co-op Atlantic, Sysco Food Service and commodity markets in Ontario and Quebec. Its annual sales exceed $110 million.
"We take great pride in producing top-quality products for our customers and playing an important role in our industry," said Sue Payne, chief executive officer of ACA Co-operative Ltd. "With this investment, we will continue to contribute to the industry and support our community."