Ocean Spray bringing cranberries to Rogersville

Jan. 12, 2009

A sour berry could soon bring sweet rewards to the Rogersville area thanks to an American juice maker.

Ocean Spray has been working on a plan to use the bogs around Despres Lake to grow cranberries in what could turn into their largest growing operation in North America.

Rogersville mayor Bertrand LeBlanc said the plan would cover over 8,000 acres with an initial company investment of $15 million and a total of $100 million over a five-year period.

"It's a major project."

The road leading to the lake was slippery and snow covered last week and a thick blanket of snow covered the bog around Despres Lake where Ocean Spray plans to set up shop.

LeBlanc first heard about the project around September, but said he wasn't able to talk about it until Ocean Spray submitted their environmental assessment application. He said he spoke with the environment department first, but has since spoken with representatives from Ocean Spray.

"They're real happy to come."

Work around Despres Lake should start around April and create 100 jobs over a five-year period, LeBlanc said, but it all hinges on the results of the environmental impact assessment.

"They need that before they get the green light."

LeBlanc said he will approach the company to have value added to the project, like having juice bottled or packaged in Rogersville.

"We would like to see that in the future."

The Ocean Spray project is a major announcement for the Rogersville area and LeBlanc compared it to the recent announcement from a solar panel manufacturer in Miramichi.

"People are happy about it."

LeBlanc said the village hopes to have a long relationship with Ocean Spray and added what is good for Rogersville is good for the Miramichi.

"We're happy to have them here."

Rogersville-Kouchibouguac MLA Rose-May Poirier said the mood in the area seems to be good with a lot of people stopping by her office to ask about the potential jobs, how to apply for them and how many will be created.

"There's a lot of questions out there."

Poirier hasn't been in contact with Ocean Spray, but said she will be going to a public meeting Tuesday to hear what they have to say and see how the project will affect the area.

"I think that's what we're all looking for."

With the environmental impact assessment still incomplete, Poirier said she doesn't think anybody knows if the project will go ahead for sure until the results are released.

"I think everybody's optimistic."