Company plans to rebuild portions of plant lost to 2013 fire
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Echo Lake Foods General Manager Jerry Warntjes confirmed Tuesday that rebuilding plans have been submitted for review to the City of Burlington Plan Commission.
Warntjes declined to discuss details, saying that what happens with the business plan will depend on the reaction of the Plan Commission.
He did not offer specifics on the size of the operations, or how many jobs would be at the facility.
Echo Lake Foods was severely damaged by an eight-plus alarm fire in January of 2013. Since then, hundreds of employees either had to find new employment, commute to other Echo Lake facilities in the surrounding area, or have remained unemployed.
Burlington Mayor Bob Miller said Tuesday he’s pleased there is finally a plan.
“It’s just been a long time coming,” Miller said. “I’m just glad that they’re finally able to put things together, and plan on rebuilding.”
While the business has certainly lost profits, the city has also lost revenue from the company – in the form of taxes and utility use.
“Loss of any business to the city is going to be felt, no two ways about it,” said Miller, who added that he doesn’t expect the new facility to generate as much utility revenue as it has in the past, mainly because of cost-saving measures that will likely be implemented.
“It remains to be seen what happens when they reopen and put things back together again,” Miller said.
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