City of Warrenton and Business Oregon Partner with Pacific Seafood to Rebuild Seafood Processing Facility Dock

Warrenton, Ore., August 27, 2017

Today, Warrenton Mayor Henry Balensifer, Business Oregon Regional Development Officer Melanie Olson, Warrenton City Manager Linda Engbretson, and Oregon Governor’s Office North Coast Regional Coordinator Mark Ellsworth along with Pacific Seafood General Counsel Dan Occhipinti formalized a partnership to rebuild the dock that will serve the Pacific Seafood Warrenton processing facility and the local independent commercial fishing fleet.

“The Pacific Seafood processing facility plays a vital role in Warrenton’s economy and we are excited to welcome them back to Warrenton from their temporary location,” said Mayor Balensifer. “Thanks to their recent decision to expand the facility, they can provide more full time jobs year round. This is good for the employees, the company and our economy.”

The original processing facility was built in 1941 and acquired by Pacific Seafood in 1983. It was the largest employer in Warrenton providing more than 100 full-time jobs as well as up to 100 seasonal jobs. In June of 2013 a fire destroyed the facility and dock. Pacific Seafood scrambled to relocate the facility temporarily to Astoria in what became known as “the seven day miracle.” As part of its ongoing commitment to the community, Pacific Seafood continued to pay employee wages even during the downtime.

“None of this would be possible without the help from Senator Betsy Johnson, Representative Debbie Boone, Mayor Balensifer, and Governor Brown’s Business Oregon team,” said Pacific Seafood spokesman Dan Occhipinti. “They were instrumental in protecting hundreds of jobs and helping a local company get back on its feet after the devastating fire.”
The rebuilt Pacific Seafood facility will accept deliveries of crab, whiting, and groundfish. Construction is well underway, with expected completion in early 2018, but the company plans to accept deliveries in time for the December 2017 crab season.

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About Pacific Seafood Group: Founded in 1941 by Frank Dulcich, Pacific Seafood remains a family-owned and operated company dedicated to providing the healthiest protein on the planet. Pacific Seafood manages all parts of the supply chain from harvesting/fishing, processing, and distribution to provide customers with fresh, sustainable, and high-quality products. Pacific Seafood Group is headquartered in Clackamas, Ore. It employs more than 3,000 team members across 41 facilities in 11 states.