Chicago's Morton Salt says hurricane damaged Bahamas site

CHICAGO (AP) - Officials at Chicago-based Morton Salt say Hurricane Irma significantly damaged a production facility on the Bahamian island of Great Inagua.

Morton Salt spokesman Paul Jackiewicz tells the Chicago Tribune the facility sustained structural damage and a team is on the ground assessing the full extent of damages. He says the company is committed to its presence on the island and intends "to resume operations there as soon as safely possible."

Morton Salt employs 145 people at the site, where salt is harvested from the ocean. The company closed the plant Sept. 6 as the storm approached. Jackiewicz says all employees made it through the storm safely.

The German firm K&S Group acquired Morton Salt in 2009. Morton Salt bought the Grand Inagua site in 1954.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com