The South Cariboo Meat Co-op (SCMC) is facing a deadline of April 12 to raise the remaining membership funds, or its red-meat abattoir will not go forward.
With provincial licensing and construction deadlines looming, the SCMC board must make its final decision on proceeding with the project on that date.
Co-op manager Howie McMillan notes that while membership share sales to date have been significant, there remains a considerable shortfall, so a number of additional shares must be sold prior to April 12.
"It's crunch time. There's no way we can delay the project any further; we need to physically construct the building and get it operational by the peak season in the fall."
SCMC board chair Gus Horn adds the board can't begin construction without having the money in the bank because they are not prepared to borrow funds to do the project.
McMillan says some folks may have let this slip off their radar screen over the past three years, so it’s important they are now aware of the urgency and the magnitude of letting this opportunity pass.
"Many people in the community do not realize what we are facing. We need money through the sale of membership shares, and we need it now."
Without reaching a sufficient funding level that demonstrates progress to the provincial licensing agency, all legal slaughter capabilities within a 100-kilometre radius of 100 Mile House will cease this month, McMillan notes.
Currently, this is permitted under an interim Class C licence at Findlay's Meats, which, he explains, will continue to offer its meat-processing services (operating as a cut-and-wrap facility) regardless.
"This is a very important project for the entire community, not just ranchers, not just ranch-related businesses. There is no plan B; there is no alternate opportunity six or 12 months from now."
If the co-op fails to meet its funding goal, the community will lose a significant amount of its capacity to produce local food and would likely never recover that, McMillan says, adding this is a turning point for the local food and agricultural component of local economy.
"The reality is, we aren't going to grow avocados or bananas here, but we can raise good red-meat products economically in an environmentally sound way with very humane treatment of those animals."
Horn explains there can be inspected slaughter for the first time in the South Cariboo, which will allow retail sales of locally raised beef, bison, goat, lamb and pork.
"It is a foundation block of food security and a required element between farmers and consumers, giving farmers and processors options and opportunities to build on."
With the multiplier effect it will have on the local economy, he says the co-op encourages business owners to consider a "community" membership, whether or not their business is ranch-related.
"It's a project that offers basic infrastructure for producing and processing food locally, and the dollars from this kind of added value is proven to stay in the community as an economic benefit."
With the final deadline looming and many memberships pledged previously remaining unpaid, Horn explains that for all those who have committed to the project, but haven't yet found the ways or means to follow through on it, now is the time to do what they can to ensure the project goes forward before the opportunity passes.
Livestock "producer" members are asked to purchase a minimum of 10, $100 shares ($1,000) while "community" members (anyone else) can join with the minimum purchase of one $100 share.
McMillan notes that both categories may purchase up to a maximum of 50 ($5,000) of these redeemable interest-bearing shares as a great investment.
For more information or a membership application form, visit www.southcariboomeat.coop, e-mail info@southcariboomeat.coop or call 250-395-6775.
