The Covert Element Read Online Free PDF

in their fields.
But many of the farmers had begun the switch to organic years ago.
The increased prices they would receive for the "all natural" product
more than compensated for the reduced yields and extra
transportation costs associated with organic produce.
    Marsden and his contractors worked non-stop on preparations
for the new Bellechester Organic Elevator and Creamery – known to
the locals as Bellechester Organic. Marsden outfitted the old
elevator buildings with new grain handling and milling machinery.
Larger storage bins were erected. These additions and retrofits went
smoothly and quickly.
    The more challenging and expensive part of the project was
building the creamery and cheese factory. Since the former
Bellechester Elevator did not have a dairy facility, these buildings,
and their associated equipment – loading docks, refrigeration, and
pasteurization areas – would need to be built from scratch.
    Soon the project began to fall behind schedule. The world
economy was wallowing in the worst recession since the thirties.
Construction bills began to mount. Delays meant added costs.
Marsden went back to AgInvest seeking additional investment
dollars. To his shock and dismay, AgInvest denied his request.
Credit was tight all over, they said. They needed to maintain capital
ratios to satisfy the Regulators. They were sorry, but Marsden was
out of luck.
    Marsden had already poured most of his personal savings into
this project. He couldn’t let it die on the vine.
    So he sought a partner. Someone who would inject capital, not
more loans. Someone who would share the risk of the project with
him and help Bellechester Organic get off the ground.
    Finally, he found that partner. The man was a wealthy
financier who preferred to keep his name out of the business, his
people said. In exchange for fifty percent of the project, he would
pony up the necessary funds.
    Marsden didn’t relish dealing through a faceless entity, but he
had little choice in the matter. So he transferred half of his
ownership in Bellechester Organic to his new partner – a closely-held corporation formed as "Bellechester Investors, Inc."
    With the new capital infusion, Bellechester Organic Elevator
and Creamery was back on the road to becoming a reality. His new
partner had been persistent about some design changes to the
creamery building, and expansion of the farm services business –
providing custom harvesting, organic spraying, and sales of farm
supplies. But since the necessary money accompanied each change,
Marsden could hardly complain.
    As the day for the Elevator’s grand opening approached,
Marsden’s partner insisted that since Marsden had come up with
the plan, had handled all of the financing, and had engaged all the
construction contractors, it was the least his partner could do to
arrange the hiring of all employees – with Marsden as President
and CEO, of course.
    Frankly, Marsden was relieved to shed the hiring function.
Construction was complete. Product and shipping contracts were in
place. The marketing plan for his farmers’ goods was working out
nicely. Profit projections looked promising. The hard part, at least
for Marsden, was over.
    As for the Bellechester community . . . construction activities,
and the promise of a viable employer in the village, had stimulated
its economy significantly. A new General Store had opened. A small
Walmart was being discussed among community leaders. And with
hungry and thirsty construction crews in town every noon and
night, Coonie’s was conducting a land office business in beer and
burgers.
    Finally, the Grand Opening day arrived. Marsden made a
speech. Coonie’s gave out coupons for a free bag of pretzels with
purchase of a beer. And the first farmers lined up to deliver the
beginnings of the fall harvest.
    Bellechester Organic was off and running. And no one living in
or around Bellechester could be happier.
    Their savior had arrived.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER