Old Trapper delays Richland beef jerky plant that would have hired 100 workers
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Old Trapper delayed Richland plant due to equipment-related supply issues.
- City council set to approve new 2026–2027 deadlines with a $100K performance fee.
- Plant could start with 100 jobs and expand with 150,000 square feet in future.
Richland will have to wait at least a year to welcome an Oregon beef jerky manufacturer to town.
Old Trapper Smoked Products, based in Forest Grove, Ore., is delaying plans to build a processing plant in the Horn Rapids Industrial Park area, citing supply chain challenges.
The company, operating as Beef Expansion LLC, cut a $1.3 million deal with the city of Richland for 20 acres on Kingsgate Way in 2022.
The deal closed in early 2023. It included a condition that Old Trapper apply for building permits by July 2024 and begin construction by July 2025.
The city retained the right to repurchase the site if Old Trapper failed to meet its deadlines, which is common in economic development deals.
Old Trapper notified Richland officials it wouldn’t meet the deadlines, citing the supply chain issues.
Specifically, it said it was having difficulty securing transformers, electrical equipment and other machinery to equip the future food manufacturing facility.
It asked for a two-year grace period, with the city council is expected to grant at its regular business meeting July 15.
The agreement includes a $100,000 fee that is refundable if Old Trapper meets its new deadlines.
It is now required to submit a building application by July 6, 2026 and begin construction by July 2027.
Old Trapper is expected to employ 100 at its Richland plant to start.
The payroll could grow to 300 and it could expand the plant by 150,000 square feet in the future, according to the company’s original letter of intent to purchase the land.
Old Trapper could not be reached this week.
Old Trapper produces beef jerky and meat snacks sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and other locations.
The company is family-owned and does not disclose revenue.
In 2022 it reported 30% growth in 2021. It said it was adding smokehouses to expand its production capacity.
This story was originally published July 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM.