Burger plant operating in Nebraska

The Hastings, NE, Economic Development Corporation reported a local success story on its website, noting that the former Bubba Burger plant is up and running under new ownership, employing 32 people with that number to increase by the end of the year. Hastings Utility Board members voted 5-0 at a regular meeting on May 10 to recommend approval of the request from the Flanders Provisions Co. for $125,000 from Hastings Utilities’ economic development funds. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Hastings City Council. The Hastings Tribune reports that Maggie Vaughan, interim director of the Hastings Economic Development Corp., said that in order to receive the funds the company has committed to creating at least 50 new jobs and spending $3.75 million on plant upgrades. The investment includes facility upgrades of $250,000, purchasing $1.5 million in new equipment and transferring equipment totaling $2 million from Flanders’ previous location in Georgia. Hastings Mayor Corey Stutte thanked Flanders for opening in the community. He said while Flanders has sourcing for its raw materials, the company expressed interest in possibly sourcing from within Nebraska. WLJ’s attempts to reach Flanders for information regarding production output were unsuccessful. — WLJ