While traveling along Highway 212 in Renville County, I’ve noticed more than field work as a sign that our agricultural industry is moving forward this spring. On the east end of Buffalo Lake, construction crews have been busily working at the former North Star Beef facility, which has been a quiet place after closing in 2009.
It was recently announced that Triple J Family Farms, LLC, will be opening a beef harvest and processing facility in this location. About 80 jobs will come with the first phase of this project, with projections to hire an additional 150 during a following phase. This would place the number of jobs at or above what they were before the previous business closed—and more than 200 jobs in a community of just over 700 is big news. The new facility will draw a workforce from many surrounding small communities and I can only imagine we’ll feel the rippling effects of more people and families staying or moving here for new job opportunities.
Beef processing has a long history in this community. Early in our history, Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) made loans to Minnesota Beef Industries located in Buffalo Lake to support business operations. Both the facility and SWIF have seen many changes since making those loans in 1989-90. The facility has had a major impact on the local economy through the years, and we’re please to see this new opportunity arise for it. I know that much work was needed by community and business leaders to make this happen. This is a great example of the hard work put into economic development, regardless of a community’s size.
As we’ve shared with other stories, we don’t know what will come of the investments SWIF makes—through loans, grants or other support. We can only trust that the people we partner with will make good decisions and a lasting impact. This is an example of SWIF being available and willing to be present and involved when we can help make a difference, whether it’s today or many years into the future.
How does your community feel the impact of SWIF’s investments? Share your stories with us!
