Mason City rejects pork plant

by | May 5, 2016 | 5 Ag Stories, News

by Ken Root

Mason City rejected a quarter billion dollar pork processing plant at a city council meeting this week. Voices in opposition drowned out the proposal even though it was projected to bring 1,700 jobs to the North Central Iowa community. The Globe Gazette covered a seven hour city council meeting Tuesday evening that lasted until 2:00 am Wednesday. AT the end the council vote was 3-3 and a tie signifies a no vote.

The protests from citizens centered on environmental and quality-of life issues.

The owner of Prestage Farms, headquartered in Clinton, North Carolina, attended the meeting. The company issued a statement Wednesday morning saying, ?While we are disappointed, we believe in a bright future for agriculture and wish the people of Mason City all the best.?

Amy Lee, a citizen of Mason City testified before the council. She conducted a survey that showed 600 out of 900 people in the town did not want the plant based on an anonymous on line survey. She summed up the negative views of the kind of town she fears it will become.