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By Chris Brown

Hometown Strong Initiative

JBS Foods Canada investing $2M in Brooks for pandemic support and future

Oct 22, 2020 | 10:38 AM

GREELEY, COL – JBS Foods Canada will provide $2 million to help Brooks bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic and invest in the community’s future.

“We are proud of our role in providing high-quality beef, but we also recognize our responsibility as a large employer in the area,” said David Colwell, president, JBS Foods Canada. “The Hometown Strong initiative is allowing us to make a lasting investment that will strengthen our community and improve the lives of our team members and neighbors.”

JBS says it has been working with local leaders to identify where the funds can best help meet immediate and longer-term community needs and that all projects will be determined by the end of the year.

Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita calls JBS a great partner and corporate citizen.

“As one of the largest employers in Alberta, we couldn’t be more pleased that they choose to do business in the Brooks region, and their dedication to supporting our local organizations, events and activities is outstanding. We are very pleased with this injection of funds for community-based projects as JBS Foods Canada prides itself on working closely with many local organizations to make a positive difference.”

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Brooks was once a hot spot for the virus. In the spring, the city had more than 1,000 cases and the JBS plant was at the centre of the outbreak in the city. In August the city successfully reduced their number of active cases to zero but it has risen again to 16 active cases as of Tuesday.

The JBS Foods Canada Brooks production facility employs more than 2,800 people and supports more than 500 local producers, paying them $1.6 billion per year for their livestock.

Hometown Strong is a $50 million initiative that adds to commitments JBS has made this year to protect employees and ensure their job security amid the global pandemic. Funds are being directed to the communities where JBS team members live and work in the U.S. and Canada.