Looking back over 2019, one the highlights of the events that took place in Portage was the beginning of construction for the massive Roquette Pea Protein Processing Plant.
Roquette Head of Communications and Public Affairs For the Americas Jim Bozikis says 2019 was a big year for the company in Portage.
"I think the first half of the year, most of the work was done below ground level," says Bozikis. "There was some piling and wiring, and that kind of thing. But by the middle of the year in June, we saw the first steel get erected on the site. That was very exciting. And things have really taken off since then with the activity on the site."
He notes they just reached a one-million hours-of-work milestone without a recordable lost-time safety incident. He notes this is hopefully the first of many safety milestones. Bozikis says they received a Safety Bravo Award from their corporate offices in France for it.
He explains that most of the buildings should be closed off by the end of this year.
"Recruiting efforts really got underway and began in earnest," continues Bozikis. "We were visiting colleges and universities, and hosting and attending community job fairs in town and with the First Nation communities. We hired the team that we have in place now, and that, of course, will continue to grow."
Bozikis adds they were honoured with one of Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates awards and, this month, one was of Manitoba's Top Employers for 2020. He says these are two milestones that they're quite proud of.
He says some other things that were big for them were their community efforts. Bozikis explains that they sought to establish themselves as a vital member and contributor in Portage, desiring to be good neighbours. He outlines support ranged from Recreation Opportunities for Kids Central, with the wonderful work Lynne Parker is doing there, to the Portage Family Abuse Prevention Centre, our hospital, the Chamber, as well as Portage Family Services -- "those kinds of things." He notes they were a sponsor of Festival du Voyageur, and they'll do that again next year.
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