Last modified: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 1:49 PM PDT Larry Meyer | Argus Observer Fry Food Inc., Tiffin, Ohio, has purchased a site on this property north of the Rio Vista Apartments in Nyssa, used for farm labor housing, to build a processing plant. New company slates Nyssa site for plant Larry Meyer Argus Observer NYSSA An Ohio-based corporation has purchased land near Nyssa to build a new processing facility according to a Tuesday announcement by Malheur County Economic Development Director Jim Jensen. Fry Foods, Inc., a family-owned firm with a 75-year history in the food industry, initially plans to offer about 60 jobs, but could eventually employ 100 people. The company is purchasing a site on property owned by the Housing Authority of Malheur County, on Nyssa's northeast side, Jensen said. The site is north of the agency's Rio Vista farm labor housing area. Fry Foods is a family owned and operated corporation that began operations in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1961. The Fry family has a tradition and commitment to quality and customer satisfaction with the products it produces. The company distributes its product throughout North America and exports overseas, according to the Fry Foods Web site. Those products include several different styles of onion rings using Spanish Sweet Onions, a variety of battered cheese sticks, several mushroom offerings plus a choice of the always popular stuffed Jalapenos and selections of vegetables including cauliflower, zucchini and okra. They also make available an “After-tizer” line that includes chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake and brownies, according to a press release from Jensen. Nyssa officials are already moving ahead with the process to change the property zone from R-3, multiple family housing, to industrial. “It is in the city,” Nyssa City Manager Bill Ewing said of the proposed plant site. “It will have to be rezoned.” Ewing said the Fry Foods announcement is the culmination of plenty of dedicated hard work by area officials. “I'm excited about it,” Ewing said. “A lot of people have put a lot of time and effort into it. We're looking forward to it.” Nyssa merchant Robin Haun also praised the Fry Foods news. “I just think it's great,” Haun, who with her husband, Steve, owns and operate's Steve's Hardware in Nyssa. “We have more businesses coming to town. The more the merrier. I wholeheartedly welcome them to the community. It will help me out,” Haun said. Hansen-Rice Construction, a firm specializing in design and build construction from Nampa will manage the construction of the plan, according to the announcement from Jensen.