Colusa Meat Processing Facility
The Colusa Meat Processing Facility application, led by the City of Colusa and supported by a variety of local organizations and individuals, was a “last-mile” project in need of funds to install necessary equipment and obtain the required state and federal licensing. The facility is located at the Colusa Industrial Park (CIP), a long-standing initiative that laid the foundation for economic development in the region.
Over 76 years ago, the Otterson Family, long active in the Colusa community, recognized the need for a dedicated industrial zone to stimulate business growth and create new employment opportunities. The Colusa Industrial Park, situated at 50 Sunrise Blvd. in Colusa, California, stands as a notable example of local economic development inspired by private initiative and sustained vision. The park has grown and thrived thanks to the collaborative efforts of Colusa Industrial Properties, the Otterson Family, and the community of Colusa, transforming the property into a vital center for industry, commerce, and community impact.
The Colusa Industrial Park has achieved steady growth by offering flexible lot configurations and robust infrastructure enticing businesses spanning manufacturing, agricultural processing, distribution, services, and more. Currently the park supports over 43 tenant businesses, 600 jobs, and is an integral component of the global food chain supporting international sales of agricultural products grown in the Sacramento and We Prosper Together Regions. Notable tenants include Farmer’s Fresh Mushrooms, Riviana Foods and Colusa Rice Co., which have contributed to the park’s diversity and reach.
The Colusa Meat Processing Facility, located at the CIP, will be a USDA/CDFA certified slaughter and processing facility for cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats. Completion of phase one, the 3,600 square foot slaughter facility which includes a 1,000 square foot cold storage space, is anticipated in January 2026.
The need for USDA certified processing facilities in Northern California has been intimately understood by producers in Colusa County and other rural communities in the North State for decades. Supply chain issues, inflation, increased demand for local food sources, increased demand for culturally adherent processing, consolidation and antiquation of existing facilities, and increased transportation costs all aim to be alleviated by the facility developer and operator. The development of the Colusa Facility will not only support current producers and demand for local products, it will also serve as an anchor for industry development and increase markets for value add, niche, and culturally adherent products.
Brent Nobles, owner of Brent Nobles Mobile Butcher, a mobile butcher operation serving Northern California and clientele in all eight We Prosper Together counties, will transition from mobile to the Colusa Meat Processing Facility in late 2025 and early 2026. He and three of his employees are CDFA certified meat inspectors and the facility is in the final planning stages with USDA to acquire all necessary equipment and permitting.
Building a USDA-certified meat processing facility in Northern California faces significant barriers including high costs for infrastructure and operations, complex and expensive federal and state regulations for USDA/CDFA certification, qualified labor, navigating local land use and zoning laws, and economic difficulties with securing the necessary capital for a profitable business model, especially for small-scale operations.
The development of the Colusa Meat Processing Facility is the culmination of a community coming together to enhance their strengths and assets and share those with the region. There are several factors that have coalesced to bring the project to fruition including the vision of Colusa Industrial Properties and the existing infrastructure at the park; Brent Nobles’ experience, and growing market demand; the Colusa County One Stop job training and placement programs; practical and efficient planning, guidance and training from CDFA; and partial funding from CA Jobs First.