McCain Foods achieved a major milestone in Portage la Prairie this past week, and many dignitaries were on hand to be a part of the celebration.

Mayor Irvine Ferris was one of them, and says he had to be there.

"(McCain Foods) has been an important part of our community for the last 40 years," says Mayor Ferris. "First of all, in terms of our economy, McCain has -- if you include the warehouse -- probably about 360 really, really good jobs."

He says McCain has done a lot of good for the community as well, and it is easy to root for their success.

"They've been involved with the (Portage) Potato Festival for a number of years, made a contribution to (Simplot) Central Park this past year," says Ferris. "Just really good corporate citizens, so we're very pleased that they've had forty successful years here. I'm sure they're going to have another forty successful years ahead of them."

Part of the celebration included the opening of a new potato receiving area at the plant. According to a release, the new area will allow the plant to "receive additional potatoes from local growers in a more time efficient manner, as well as an allowance for additional holding capacity, a new cleaning line
and a new refreshment break area. "