From WATTAgNet:
After hearing only opposition to Tyson Foods’ plans to build a poultry complex in Leavenworth County, Kansas, a trio of state legislators promised to work to keep the project from becoming a reality.
Kansas Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City; Rep. Jim Karleskint, R-Tonganoxie; and Rep. Willie Dove, R-Bonner Springs, hosted a public forum meeting on September 15 to discuss the proposed Tyson Foods project.
Tyson Foods, on September 5, announced its plans to build a $320 million poultry complex, which will include a processing plant, hatchery and feed mill near Tonganoxie in Leavenworth County. The complex is expected to employ 1,600 people and process about 1.25 million chickens per week.
Tyson Foods has estimated that the payroll and payments to farmers from the new operation, along with its purchase of grain and utilities, would generate an annual economic benefit to the state of $150 million.
While the trio of lawmakers said at the beginning of the meeting they wanted to gain more input before deciding whether they were in favor or against Tyson locating in Tonganoxie, their minds were evidently swayed before the meeting ended, the Lawrence Journal-World reported.
“We came here tonight to hear your voice, your comments, your questions, your concerns,” Holland said. “We did not hear one single person get up here on this stage tonight and tell us why this Tyson plant needs to come to this community. Given the response we’ve seen tonight, myself, Rep. Karleskint (and) Rep. Dove can unconditionally guarantee to you that we’re going to work to defeat this proposal.”
While not among the organizers, a fourth legislator from the area, Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, R-Leavenworth, said he was also opposed to the planned Tyson plant.
Legislators vow to oppose proposed Tyson plant in Tonganoxie
TONGANOXIE — Residents pressed local legislators repeatedly about their stances on a proposed $320 million Tyson chicken processing plant during a town hall meeting Friday in Tonganoxie.
