An Oregon company is proposing to refurbish Vale’s long-shuttered mushroom plant to make specialized leather.
Tim Stephenson, chief executive of Vale Textiles, described operations as he sought $1 million from the The Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board, the board responsible for spurring economic development along the Idaho border.
The board did not take action at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, and hinted at discussing the request in January. Shawna Peterson, the border board executive director, said Vale Textiles submitted the application shortly before Monday’s meeting.
Vale Textiles proposes to tackle one of the community’s significant eyesores on the southeast part of town, which has sat empty for nearly 20 years. The 165,000-square-foot building sits on about 29 acres.
Stephenson told the border board his company is focusing on producing mycelium leather.
