Activity is buzzing at the old packing plant in Hartley as the facility pushes towards its ribbon cutting.

Stephane Comtois, owner of Hartley Cold Services, said the business is planning to initiate Phase 1 of opening by late June. He hopes the plant will be fully operational by early fall.

"Initially I thought we'd be open right now. We just got caught up with the labor shortage," Comtois said. "We've done quite a bit in the last few months."

Comtois, who owns businesses in Canada, Chicago and Florida, bought the old Beef Specialists of Iowa plant last summer. So far, 12,300 square feet ha...