Union officials are reporting that Temco has awarded a $50 million grain silo expansion project at the Port of Kalama to general contractor Borton LC of Kansas. That’s good news for union construction workers, because JH Kelly will do 85 percent of the work as a sub-contractor. Kelly is signatory with several building trades locals in Washington and Oregon.
Temco is a joint venture owned by Minnesota-based cooperative CHS Inc. and Cargill. Cargill is one of the world’s largest private companies, and CHS is the largest U.S. farmer-owned cooperative. Temco also operates grain export terminals in Tacoma and Portland.
The Kalama job calls for eight to 12 new grain storage silos, new rail lines, and new conveyor belts. Temco acquired the land under a long-term lease agreement with the Port of Kalama.
In June, members of the Longview-Kelso Building and Construction Trades Council held a “hire local” rally at the Port to encourage Temco to build union. They said the project will create 100 or more union jobs in the community for more than a year.
Calls to JH Kelly were not returned by press time.
