In an upcoming meeting, the Woodstock City Council in Ontario is poised to review a groundbreaking proposal that could pave the way for a new poultry processing facility in the area. High Noon Investment Corp., acting on behalf of an undisclosed Canadian poultry processing company, is seeking approval for the construction of a state-of-the-art operation spanning at least 113,000 square feet on a 14-acre industrial site. The facility is designed to encompass various stages of poultry processing, including slaughtering, processing, packaging, and shipping of chicken products.
The industrial land earmarked for this project has been available for purchase since the previous summer, following the community’s efforts and investments to repurpose former rural farmland for industrial use.
The proposed purchase price for the land stands at C$6.7 million, with the potential to inject approximately 300 jobs into Woodstock’s labor market once the facility reaches full operational capacity.
However, a crucial step in the process involves necessary bylaw amendments to permit the operation of a slaughter facility in Woodstock. Traditionally, abattoirs, where animals are butchered, have been prohibited under the city’s Zoning Bylaw. While acknowledging this historical prohibition, the meeting document suggests that it may not align with the practices of modern poultry processing operations.
Woodstock’s attorneys and development manager are expected to advocate for the approval of High Noon’s proposal, underscoring the potential economic benefits. The proposed bylaw amendments are considered essential to fostering economic diversity in the food processing sector, supporting the local agricultural industry, and generating new jobs and assessment growth.
Should the Woodstock City Council green-light both the sale and the necessary bylaw amendments, the transaction is anticipated to conclude by mid-July 2024.
