Who has something to gain from Prestage?

The third public hearing regarding Prestage’s proposed pork processing plant took place Monday with the intent that citizens could voice their opinions on the economic development agreement introduced last week.

To start with, Economic Development Director Bryce Davis summarized the agreement. As stated last week, the county would pay back 32 percent of taxes received from the company (with variance depending on state levies) not to exceed $8 million over 10 years, contingent on an assessed $111 million in taxable value at the plant site. The county will also improve roads as necessary and ensure wastewater treatment is available for the plant. Prestage must complete minimum improvements of a 600,000-square foot building, build $2 million in capital investments, employ 922 people full-time, and be current on their taxes to receive benefits. Davis also added that they weren’t yet sure if the county would be responsible for improving portions of Highway 17, since it’s a state road. “We are in discussion with the DOT,” he said.

Last week, some opponents of the plant pointed out that many people speaking in favor of Prestage would potentially get some economic benefit once the plant was built. At Monday’s meeting, proponents of the plant didn’t disagree, but also pointed out that businesspeople wouldn’t be the only ones receiving benefits.

Becky Bradburn said she grew up in a small packing town that suffered economically and shrank in size when the plant left. She believed that increasing industry in Eagle Grove could increase population and bring more services enabled by economic opportunity. “In my book, that is the definition of a win-win if we all gain something,” she said.

At the close of the hearing, the supervisors voted to approve the economic development agreement, which stands as a present statement of intent should all other approvals go through. About 70 attended the hearing, with a total of 19 people speaking in favor of the plant and 11 speaking against it.

For the full story, see the August 4 edition of the Monitor.