This week the Mason City, Iowa City Council voted to turn down the proposed $240 million Prestage Farms Pork Processing plant. Former Iowa Farmers Union President Chris Peterson opposed the project. He says most of the community was also against the facility due to the impact on the quality of life and environmental concerns.
He says the poor quality of the jobs provided by the Prestage pork processing plant was also a factor.

Peterson says had the processing plant been approved it would have added to the concentration problem that has led to the loss of the independent pork producer in the area.

Three Mason City Council members voted for the project and three voted against it, a tie vote meant the project failed.