New Business Coming To Trenton

Trenton’s newest business will be going to the dogs – literally.
Green Hills Animal Nutrition, Inc. will be producing, warehousing and shipping animal treats from a city-owned building at the Trenton Municipal Airport. Announcement of the new business was made this morning during a new conference that featured the business owners as well as several city and county officials and members of the public.
Keith Collins of Liberal, KS is president of the company, which hopes to begin operations in Trenton in the next 90 days. Renovation of the building is under way and will include not only a warehouse area and “baking” area, but a retail area will also be a part of the business.
Collins said he began looking for a location for the business in December and chose Trenton after a number of meetings with officials as well as a tour of the community.
“I liked what I saw,” he said, adding that he pleased with all of the assistance officials have afforded him as he gets his business started.
The company will begin operation with five to six employees and, within the next two to three years as the company grows, plans to construct a larger facility that Collins hope will employ between 60 and 70 persons. His nephew, Glen Dibble, came up with the idea for the business and will be serving as the plant manager. Collins’ son, Shannon, will be the sales manager. There will also be a director of operations, a quality control manager and human resources director.
The company will produce organic animal treats, mainly for dogs and cats, with the large treats being made locally while small treats will be “baked” in Illinois and shipped back to Trenton for distribution to pet stores throughout the United States. Packaging for the treats made in Trenton will be done here as well.
Collins said it is likely the company would also expand into other types of nutritional products for animals as well, but said that would be at a later time. The business will also have a retail store in the front of the building where local residents could come to purchase the treats manufactured locally.
Community Developer Ralph Boots noted he has been working with the business since December and that several community members representing the city, county and chamber of commerce assisting in getting the company to locate in Trenton. He recognized those efforts along with the Grundy County Industrial Development Corporation, which provided a forgivable loan to the company. Being located in an enterprise zone also allowed the company to receive over $20,000 in state assistance through the Department of Economic Development.
Boots said that the salaries the company will be bringing to Trenton are 108 percent of the average wage in Grundy County, which is just over $32,000.
Several individuals spoke at the news conference, including Mayor Nick McHargue, who welcomed the business to the Show-Me State and congratulated Boots for his efforts. City Council Economic Development Chairman Travis Elbert said he was “estatic” to have the business in Trenton, noting that this was the type of business that helps keep a small town viable. Chamber Executive Director Debbie Carmen also welcomed the business to Trenton and said she looked forward to the good things the company will be doing for the community.