After a busy and challenging period, Chisholm Trail Meats finally opened its doors on February 12, 2024, in a brand-new building at Garfield County Industrial Park.
"Starting something new is always a bit of a journey to get it up and running and to feel like you're moving in the right direction," Eldon Campbell from Chisholm Trail Meats and T&C Meats explained. "It's been quite the whirlwind."
Chisholm Trail Meats Celebrates Groundbreaking
On August 3, 2022, a special ceremony marked the start of construction for Chisholm Trail Meats at 1820 N. 54th. The company is building a 17,000-square-foot facility on a spacious three-acre site, providing plenty of space for its processing operations.
During the first week of opening, Eldon Campbell shared that the reception to the new facility has been overwhelmingly positive. "It's taken some time. We aimed to build it properly and stay on course," he said.
Even before officially opening, Chisholm Trail Meats was already in high demand, receiving numerous calls for their services. "We've been very cautious not to accept more appointments than we can manage," Campbell noted, emphasizing their commitment to quality and careful growth.
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Chisholm Trail Meats Tackles Supply Chain Challenges with New Facility
Campbell started the journey to build a new facility in 2020, inspired by the supply chain problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Campbell explained that the new facility would increase processing options for local farmers selling beef and customers interested in buying large portions, who currently travel three hours for such services.
"A lot of the money is going to Kansas because we simply don't have enough processing capacity here. It's been years since a new facility was built," he said.
T&C Meats, in operation for over five years, always aimed to establish a meat processing plant, a need that became urgent during the pandemic. "We've been thinking about this since 2013, and after five and a half years running a retail shop, the pandemic highlighted the demand for custom and private label beef processing," Campbell shared.
Lisa Powell, from the Enid Regional Development Alliance, highlighted that the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry recognized the state's need for more meat processing facilities early.
In response, they provided grant money in 2020 to support new projects, including Chisholm Trail Meats.
Enid Mayor George Pankonin emphasized the city's support for new businesses, noting that many, like Eldon's, start in the incubator program at Autry Tech Center before moving to a permanent location. "T&C Meats moved to a new strip mall on Chestnut, growing beyond their initial setup. It's inspiring to see today's entrepreneurs evolving into tomorrow's business leaders," said Pankonin.
Don Roberts, chair of the Garfield County Industrial Authority, also spoke about the facility's significance for Enid, particularly for the agriculture sector. "It's a perfect match for our community, offering valuable opportunities, especially for the livestock industry," Roberts remarked.
About Chisholm Trail Meats
Chisholm Trail Meats is known for raising animals to meet high standards, which requires significant effort and dedication. Regarding processing, getting the most value from this investment is crucial.
For exceptional quality, finding a reliable meat processor is essential. Chisholm Trail Meats offers precise cuts tailored to customer specifications, ensuring the meat returned is exactly from the animal provided.
Chisholm Trail Meats prides itself on being a locally owned and operated business, embodying the true spirit of Oklahoma. With deep roots in the meat processing industry, the company is keen to establish solid partnerships with those needing their services.
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