POCATELLO — Prominent leaders and representatives of the community, including county commissioners, Idaho State University leadership, mayors and lawmakers, gathered inside a grand white tent in early December to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Simplot’s Don Plant.

Surrounded by the industrial trappings of the massive facility, some of the most notable Simplot leaders spoke on the plant’s impact and their plan for it to remain an essential fixture within the local community for decades to come.

Named after one of J.R. Simplot’s sons, the Don Plant was constructed in 1944 and was the first fertilizer production facility built by the J.R. Simplot Co. Located just outside of Pocatello city limits, the plant has about 80 employees and produces phosphate fertilizers, feed phosphate and industrial products. The plant also processes all of the phosphate ore from the Smoky Canyon Mine which is shipped to the plant through an underground slurry pipeline.

Tuesday’s program began with a welcome from Don Plant Manager Trisha Arave and following her remarks she introduced Simplot chairman and family member Scott Simplot, who reflected on the importance of the company during its creation in the mid-1940s. Simplot board of directors member John Otter spoke next before introducing Simplot’s current CEO and president, Garrett Lofto.

When asked by the Idaho State Journal about the Don Plant’s impact and what contributes to its longevity, Lofto cited the dedication of both Simplot management and the plant’s workforce that is so essential to its functionality.

“The thousands of employees over the decades that we’ve been here have really contributed to making high quality products that have really satisfied our customer base,” Lofto said. “As we’re supporting the American farmer, we’re supporting the livestock producers, we’re supporting industrial customers and so forth. Having a real long-term commitment allows us to really look at that long term from a sustainability perspective.”

Lofto continued, “That really contributes a big part to the success of and the importance of the Don plant in processing and producing phosphates, which are critical to really life itself when it comes down to it. It’s the match of the commitment of the Simplot family and company with the commitment of our employees to do what’s good, and being an engaged member of the community here is really important to us as well. You want to have employees that are happy, that want to be engaged as members (of the community) in any place that you do business. I think that really is what sets apart our business here in Pocatello.”

Lofto said he believes it is important to be a consistent employer in the state and doesn’t want to be an employer who is in and out of the market. Lofto remarked on Simplot providing consistent good-paying jobs for its employees so that they can raise families and support local businesses, which helps spur the economy even more.

Lofto also said he wants the Don Plant to be here for decades if not for generations to come.

As part of that commitment to the community, Simplot Public Affairs Manager Andrea Gumm along with other members of the Simplot team presented the United Way of Southeastern Idaho with the company’s annual charitable donation.

The contribution is the largest ever by Simplot, totaling $196,454. With tears in her eyes, Shantay Bloxham, the CEO of United Way of Southeastern Idaho, expressed appreciation for the funds which she said would help shape countless lives for the better.

“We love this place and our employees love it here,” Lofto said about the Don Plant. “Our employees are a part of any place we do business. What it comes down to is having a partnership of business and community that allows things to work. We feel very humbled that we get to call this place home for a major part of our operations and our employees continue to take us to a whole different level here. What really excites me is what the future looks like at the Don Plant.”