Trucking co. owner looks to Cannabis to cope with tough times in trucking
An East Peoria, IL food distribution company wants to start up a new side business to combat the troubles they face in trucking and it’s a new one: craft cannabis growing.
On Monday, January 13th East Peoria Zoning Board of Appeals approved Roy Sorce’s application to start up a craft cannabis growing and infusing operation at his current distribution center which houses his 3rd generation food distribution and trucking company, Sorce Enterprises.
According to their website, Sorce Enterprises is a privately owned System Distribution Center with distribution to various fast-food restaurants in 9 Midwestern States and employs 20 people at his business with 8 power-units and 9 drivers registered with the FMCSA.
Sorce said in the hearing he believes the nationwide truck driver shortage hit his family business hard and without this new opportunity, he fears that the company will not be able to continue operating.
“The shortage is very severe, and hinders our ability to grow and prosper. As many of our employees can attest to. And I’m trying to avoid further job loss or relocation from our area,” he said.
In an exclusive phone interview with Freight Broker Live, Sorce believes that he needs to scale his company in order to keep up with demand and the lack of qualified drivers is preventing this. Low rates combined with a lack of qualified drivers to scale the company are the reasons he feels he must diversify his business.
Sorce employs 20 people at his business, and has eight power units according to SAFER If the East Peoria City Council approves the proposal, Sorce can ask the state for a cannabis business permit. “I would like to see East Peoria’s benefit from that. I would like to see my employees benefit from that,” he said. “And…why not here?”
