Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Sunday, July 20, 2008

Cranberry companies hope to grow more in Wis.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Two major cranberry companies are pushing Wisconsin farmers to grow more, but they say that can’t happen unless the state speeds the permit process.

The presidents of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. and Cliffstar Corp. say the state needs to speed up the permit process for farmers turning acreage into cranberry bogs.

They are hoping to increase acres planted by 30 percent to 23,000 to help satisfy growing demand from overseas.

Ocean Spray chief executive Randy Papadellis says the request should be good news for Wisconsin. The increase could create more than 1,100 jobs and add $75 million per year to the state economy.

The cranberry industry already generates 7,200 jobs and $350 million per year in Wisconsin, the nation’s largest cranberry producer.

Gov. Jim Doyle’s office and the Department of Natural Resources did not immediately comment.

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