Cargill is making a big investment in its employees and strengthening the local community in Fort Morgan, Colorado. The global food and agriculture company has opened an 81-unit apartment development as part of a $40 million housing initiative aimed at improving workforce support.
The new apartments, along with 27 townhomes completed earlier this year, provide housing for employees at its beef processing facility in Fort Morgan, which is located about 80 miles northeast of Denver. To qualify for the house, at least one resident must be employed at the processing plant, with units available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This project is already making a meaningful difference for our team,” said Johanna Hernandez, general manager of Cargill’s Fort Morgan facility. “Nearly 60% of our employees commute from outside Fort Morgan, many traveling 45 minutes to an hour each way. Providing homes in Fort Morgan gives our employees more time with their families, reduces daily stress, and strengthens the fabric of this community we are proud to serve.”
The Riverside Housing initiative, developed in collaboration with Denver-based development firm Portmanteau, United Way of Morgan County, Project Moxie, and the Morgan County Family Center, is a coordinated effort to help address the region’s housing shortage, which has made it harder for both employers and families in the county.
The housing initiative is part of Cargill’s $90 million broader commitment to Fort Morgan and the future of the U.S. beef industry. It has made automation and technology upgrades at the plant, including the proprietary, patent-pending computer vision system CarVe.
In addition to the housing investment, Cargill has provided over $500,000 in grants supporting child care services and first-time home buyer education to further address barriers facing the region’s working families.