American Samoa's Governor Togiola Tulafono is continuing to pursue the acquisition of the COS Samoa Packing cannery plant in the territory, which was officially closed at the end of September.
Late last month during an off-island trip for meetings, the governor travelled to San Diego, to meet with officials of Chicken of the Sea International regarding the company's Samoa Packing plant.
Togiola says the meeting dealt with the closure of the Samoa Packing plant and the company's plan for the facility, as well as the government's continued interest in purchasing the assets and equipment.
Togiola reiterated that the goal for this effort is to provide jobs for the local workforce and provide revenue for the government as well as the private sector who serve the canneries, lost due to the closure of the company.
He said the meeting with Chicken of the Sea officials was good and both sides have agreed to ongoing meetings and discussions.
Togiola said part of the Samoa Packing operation is still ongoing and he is thankful that this avenue has allowed local residents to be employed, while discussions are ongoing.
The company had said that when production closes down in American Samoa and moved to a facility in Lyons, Georgia, only a storage facility will remain in Pago Pago.