Ocean Protein, a fishmeal production company located in Hoquiam, Washington, is a sister company of Ocean Gold Seafoods, one of the region’s leading fish processors and a vanguard for technological and sustainable innovations. The company had collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in nuisance odor fines from ORCAA (Olympic Region Clean Air Agency). Daily neighbor complaints were logged often when the plant was not in operation because the perception of odor was associated with the fishmeal plant. Ocean Protein called WMS Project Manager Michael O’Bryon for assistance.

O’Bryon brought in Heidi Happonen of Happonen Communications, who created the award-winning program. The program sought to share the company’s exciting advances since opening in 2005. Leaders at the fishmeal processing plant recognized that the odor control systems it had originally put in place did not meet their expectations. They had worked hard to right those missteps over the next several years. After nearly $5 million of odor control technology investment, the company needed the community to understand that it was improving and that it was committed to all of its neighbors in Grays Harbor County.

To better communicate the investments and commitment made by Ocean Protein, the company developed a new web site, informative video, economic impact study, a scholarship program and media relations program to share its efforts and vision for the community. Once provided with this information, the community recognized the extensive efforts Ocean Protein had undergone. In fact, the company only logged one nuisance violation from ORCAA and was named Hoquiam business of the year for 2008.