Portage Regional Economic Development's been getting a lot of bad press recently. That's from PRED chair Roy Tufford who defends the organization by noting it's been very instrumental in getting the Roquette pea protein extraction plant here in Portage.

"There's been a lot of criticism of PRED over the last little while," Tufford explains. "We've been questioned about what we're doing with our money, and why there are no audited statements, etc. I just wanted those critics to realize PRED is working in the background all the time. They were very instrumental in bringing this new $400-million investment to Portage."

Tufford notes PRED was actually the party who first put the hand on the doorknob, arranging for Roquette to initially look at us. He adds the organization works hard to develop our economy and he just wants to raise its profile in the community.

He notes former PRED executive director Douglas Barrill's now in British Columbia, and he sent some texts to a couple of different members in council congratulating us on being able to secure that investment in Portage.

Tufford adds, "We're still excited about it. Some people are trying to turn it around and are asking what did we have to do to get it here. We didn't do for Roquette what we wouldn't do for any organization in order to get them established here in our community."