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Board grants JBS Prepared Foods a 45-day extension to complete gate modifications tied to pretreatment access
Summary
The Board of Works approved an extension moving JBS Prepared Foods’ deadline from May 1 to June 15 to finish gate modifications that allow pretreatment staff badge access without entering the plant security building; the company cited international supply delays for equipment.
The Elkhart City Board of Works on May 20 approved an extension moving the completion deadline for JBS Prepared Foods’ gate modification project from May 1 to June 15 to permit pretreatment staff to badge in and out without entering the plant’s security building.
Steve Brown, public works utilities, explained the request was a 45-day extension tied to delays by the contractor. Brent Stevens, plant manager for JBS Elkhart, told the board that JBS contracted a local firm, which then experienced supply delays sourcing electronics and gate arms from Bulgaria, and projected a three-week delay; JBS is asking for a 45-day buffer and expects to finish the week of May 26.
“We were actually ahead of our project deadline to finish the gate by May 1,” Brent Stevens said. “4 t let us know on April 22 they were sourcing materials from Bulgaria that end up getting delayed due to tariffs and other things going on with the world's economy. They projected a 3 week delay. So we're asking for 45 days, just as a buffer so we wouldn't have to reextend. We're actually looking to finish the week of May 26.”
Board members confirmed the rest of JBS’s consent-order requirements had been met and that downstream grease issues were under control. The extension was described as administrative and limited to the gate-access milestone. The board approved the extension by voice vote.
The extension will allow pretreatment staff to enter the JBS site by badge without additional security procedures, improving operational coordination between the company and city pretreatment staff. City staff said communication between JBS and pretreatment has been smooth and that no new compliance problems were reported.
