Another mainstay of the community, Champion Feed Services, is officially closing its doors in May.
After years of serving the community, the Barrhead Leader learned of the mill’s fate in a round-about way, through the conversation with a gentleman who came to our offices, and the sad reality was confirmed during the meetings of the councils of both the Town of Barrhead, and the County of Barrhead on Tuesday, April 19.
Hi-Pro Feeds maintains it will do what it can to relocate the Barrhead mill’s affected employees, though acknowledges not all jobs will be saved, and the company has stated it is also looking to sell off the related Back Forty retail store.
With the low price of commodities, the plunge in oil and the high number of jobs lost since January, it cannot be easy for some people to remain optimistic.
The point we would like to make is that all is not lost, and change is good.
Ultimately, the closure means the loss of jobs and tax revenue for both the town and employees who paid taxes in town, but while the services Champion Feeds offered were important, they are secondary to the community.
Thirty-six jobs does not sound like much until you factor in taxes on the mill, municipal taxes if said employees owned homes, along with the economic ramifications, but to lose your safety net is a tremendous blow to a person’s livelihood.
However, think of the mill’s closure, not negatively, but focus instead on the opportunity for someone to grow a new business in its place.
It is also an opportunity for the community to challenge our civic leaders to try and find someone or something to replace what we have lost.
While it is sad to see Champion Feed Services close its doors here, there are still options for farmers in the area.
United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) Farm Supply locations in Mayerthorpe, Westlock and Leduc all carry farm and ranch supplies, and of course, Hi-Pro Feeds operates a mill in Westlock too, and while UFA does not specifically specialize in bulk feed like Champion Feed Services did and Hi-Pro Feeds does, for smaller operations like hobby farms the quantity fits the need.
Whether your operation is large or small, the reality for many people is the other locations may actually be closer than the mill is in Barrhead.
Like you, the Barrhead Leader would rather see our residents’ hard earned dollars stay within the community, but we also acknowledge the uncertainties many businesses face these days.
Champion Feed Services will be missed, but life goes on.
Optimism and action is required.