A little more than two dozen people staged a protest outside City Hall in Mason City this (Monday) morning over the Prestage Farms proposal to place a $240 million pork processing plant in Mason City. Tom Willett of rural Mason City thinks the process city leaders are taking in approving the project is going too fast.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board in March awarded Prestage Farms with nearly $15 million in state incentives for the project. The City Council in Mason City is scheduled to consider a multi-million dollar economic incentive package of its own for the North Carolina based company on May 3. Phyllis Willis of Fertile was one of the founders of the Niman Ranch Pork Company, which produces “all-natural” meats. She’s concerned the Prestage plant will lead to the growth of large-scale animal confinements and damage to the environment.
The plant is expected to eventually employ up to 2,000 workers with average annual wages around $40,000. Company officials have promised the “state-of-the-art” building will address any environmental concerns.
