Topic: New Hog Plant
started by: hymiebravo
Posted by hymiebravo on Apr. 10 2016,8:26 am
QUOTE
MASON CITY, Ia. — Amid political back-slapping and chamber hoopla, Mayor Eric Bookmeyer took note of an unusual perk that would come along with Prestage Farms' $240 million pork processing plant and its expected 2,000 jobs: Lower water rates for Mason City businesses and residents.
The massive pig processing plant, initially killing 10,000 hogs daily, would use the extra water capacity the small north Iowa city built a decade ago for new, big businesses — an economic development investment that, until now, never fully materialized.
Mason City and other small Iowa towns "have seen long-term decline," said David Swenson, an Iowa State University economist. "Even though they've added business, even though they've consolidated trade within their region, they're still not growing."
But Mason City leaders hope the new 650,000-square-foot meatpacking plant south of town will reverse the city's fortunes and decades-long loss of workers — adding hundreds of jobs, new housing, new families and new services.
"Big job opportunities is one way you can do that," said Chad Schreck, CEO of North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp.
Questions, however, are rising around the project: Will the plant smell? How much water will it draw from the state's important Jordan aquifer? Will the region have enough workers to fill the jobs? How will the expected influx of immigrant workers affect the community?
Concern about the plant is especially keen in Clear Lake, the small popular tourist community nearby that's named for the 3,643-acre lake it's built around.
Scott Flory, the Clear Lake city administrator, said many are worried about the potential smell — either from the plant or from new hog confinement operations that might want to locate nearby.
"We'd be very concerned about the potential introduction of large-scale confinements," Flory said.
The massive pig processing plant, initially killing 10,000 hogs daily, would use the extra water capacity the small north Iowa city built a decade ago for new, big businesses — an economic development investment that, until now, never fully materialized.
Mason City and other small Iowa towns "have seen long-term decline," said David Swenson, an Iowa State University economist. "Even though they've added business, even though they've consolidated trade within their region, they're still not growing."
But Mason City leaders hope the new 650,000-square-foot meatpacking plant south of town will reverse the city's fortunes and decades-long loss of workers — adding hundreds of jobs, new housing, new families and new services.
"Big job opportunities is one way you can do that," said Chad Schreck, CEO of North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corp.
Questions, however, are rising around the project: Will the plant smell? How much water will it draw from the state's important Jordan aquifer? Will the region have enough workers to fill the jobs? How will the expected influx of immigrant workers affect the community?
Concern about the plant is especially keen in Clear Lake, the small popular tourist community nearby that's named for the 3,643-acre lake it's built around.
Scott Flory, the Clear Lake city administrator, said many are worried about the potential smell — either from the plant or from new hog confinement operations that might want to locate nearby.
"We'd be very concerned about the potential introduction of large-scale confinements," Flory said.
< http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story...1985094 >
Posted by Expatriate on Apr. 11 2016,5:41 am
Posted by hymiebravo on Apr. 12 2016,8:37 am
QUOTE
Mason City is a city in and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 28,079 in the 2010 census, a decline from 29,172 in the 2000 census. Wikipedi
QUOTE
Population: 27,704 (2013)
Quite an interesting situation. I was down there the other day. Came in from the west at the Clear Lake exit. Only went in as far as the Super Target. Saw a lot of newish looking cookie cutter power sports and automobile dealership buildings along the way.
It had the feel of a growing thriving area. They seemed to have things that you would think would only be in a larger town like a Mankato or Rochester. That was my impression anyway.
I was surprised to see what the Mason City population was. Surprised me that it wasn't more than it is. Right now it's around what Austin's was around 1972. Even though Max said they never grew. lol Part of the reason they lost population was because American Can left. So they do stay relatively stable as the one trick pony hog town that they are. And being the county seat, just like Albert Lea, never hurts either.
Something like this hog plant does seem to really have an allure. Especially if you're a government sponsored economic wooer (developer) individual or entity.
Posted by Expatriate on Apr. 12 2016,9:18 am
The 27 million in incentives Prestige Farms will receive is just the tip of the iceberg...Max is right, these are low wage jobs with high injury and turnover rates...Our right-wing friends don't see this as socialism, but here we have a prime example of socialism for Corporations on the back of the taxpayer..
< http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story...2799452 >
Posted by Self-Banished on Apr. 12 2016,1:34 pm
^^Nobody has to work there and Bustercare is taking care of us all.
Posted by Botto 82 on Apr. 12 2016,3:11 pm
^^Yeah, and those nobodies will be naive, and easily taken advantage of by the new arrivals from Milwaukee and Chicago
Posted by Self-Banished on Apr. 12 2016,3:20 pm
(Botto 82 @ Apr. 12 2016,3:11 pm)
QUOTE
^^Yeah, and those nobodies will be naive, and easily taken advantage of by the new arrivals from Milwaukee and Chicago
(I do so love it when you set me up
)Life's tough Buttercup
Posted by grassman on Apr. 12 2016,3:43 pm
Uh SB, you have boobies.... 
Posted by Self-Banished on Apr. 12 2016,3:54 pm
^^with all those comments and pics of Stoke lady I suppose you want to "suckle"
Posted by Expatriate on Apr. 13 2016,4:50 am
Posted by hymiebravo on Apr. 13 2016,8:29 am
I was reading about drought in the western part of Minnesota a few years ago. I was wondering how long it was going to be before another hog plant was started up in this area again.2,000 jobs on the surface in theory would translate to what; 10-15,000+ extra residents?
It does all sound a bit too good to be true though.
Stink certainly is concern I would say. If you need a refresher course in hog stink. Stop over and visit Austin. They used to say that was the smell of money. But now that the pay and benefits aren't as good. People just think it stinks.
Mason City seems to be doing fairly well without it at this point.
Posted by Botto 82 on Apr. 13 2016,8:33 am
(hymiebravo @ Apr. 13 2016,8:29 am)
QUOTE
Stink certainly is concern I would say. If you need a refresher course in hog stink. Stop over and visit Austin. They used to say that was the smell of money. But now that the pay and benefits aren't as good. People just think it stinks.
Seconded
Posted by hymiebravo on Apr. 13 2016,8:36 am
I have a question: I keep hearing about Mason City already having gone through this. Did they have a hog plant before? Or did the Jello plant stink? Also to all these people who keep bringing up crime:
1. Growth is going to increase crime no matter what. Rochester doesn't have a hog plant.
2. When the prohibition ends on things like pot and prostitution you'll end a lot of the so called 'crime'.
Take a look at this:
< http://northiowatoday.com/ >
Go to the part that says Jails. They have pictures. Are they all from Chicago and Milwaukee? lol
Posted by grassman on Apr. 13 2016,9:11 am
Armour Foods was there for years and years.
Posted by hymiebravo on Apr. 14 2016,8:48 am
I've heard TREET isn't as good as SPAM.
Posted by Self-Banished on Apr. 14 2016,10:59 am
^^ they're both pretty nasty.
Posted by hymiebravo on Apr. 14 2016,12:34 pm
Yeah people are pretty particular about their Vienna sausage preferences as well. Yesterday if you were on the west side of 'the plant' area you couldn't really smell a thing plant related. I guess a strong north south wind is your best friend in a situation like that.
Also in regard to the traffic concerns brought up in Mason City:
Austin has, according to WIKI, has 4,200 people in the hog business there. And there was no sign of clogged up I90 or local streets with truck traffic.
Posted by Expatriate on May 04 2016,6:40 am
MASON CITY -- In a stunning turn of events, the City Council early Wednesday morning rejected Prestage Foods of Iowa's proposal to build a $240 million pork processing plant in Mason City. Take your low wage jobs and shove them where the sun don't shine...You're not raising our taxes to subsidize slave labor!
< http://wcfcourier.com/busines...06.html >
Posted by Self-Banished on May 04 2016,8:59 am
^^ yeah! You'd rather have a depressed area will lots of folks on welfare. You tell 'em
Posted by Botto 82 on May 04 2016,2:18 pm
(Self-Banished @ May 04 2016,8:59 am)
QUOTE
^^ yeah! You'd rather have a depressed area will lots of folks on welfare.
You tell 'em
You tell 'em
If Austin is any indication, locals don't work at hog processing plants. The company eventually lures illegals and Sudanese types, and the attendant trash that goes along with all that. I'd say Mason City dodges a bullet, there.
Posted by Self-Banished on May 04 2016,3:03 pm
(Botto 82 @ May 04 2016,2:18 pm)
QUOTE
(Self-Banished @ May 04 2016,8:59 am)
QUOTE
^^ yeah! You'd rather have a depressed area will lots of folks on welfare.
You tell 'em
You tell 'em
If Austin is any indication, locals don't work at hog processing plants. The company eventually lures illegals and Sudanese types, and the attendant trash that goes along with all that. I'd say Mason City dodges a bullet, there.
Any suggestion as to what business they should try to attract?
Posted by Botto 82 on May 04 2016,3:25 pm
Meth rehab and dentists? 
Seriously, though, something like Bosch in Owatonna. Board shops are on the rise.
Posted by Self-Banished on May 04 2016,5:15 pm
(Botto 82 @ May 04 2016,3:25 pm)
QUOTE
Meth rehab and dentists?
Seriously, though, something like Bosch in Owatonna. Board shops are on the rise.
Seriously, though, something like Bosch in Owatonna. Board shops are on the rise.
I have a friend who had to tear down the buildings at his old farm site because the meth-heads were cooking there all the time, sad.
AL would have to put up a lot if they wanted to be like Owatonna, Mankato's the same.Too many people in AL that want something for nothing.
Posted by Expatriate on May 05 2016,5:54 am
Idgit Quote:QUOTE
Too many people in AL that want something for nothing.
Your problem is obvious, your truck driver posterior doesn't fit
on a standard toilet, that's why all the sh!t keeps coming out of your mouth!
Posted by Expatriate on May 05 2016,5:56 am
Posted by Self-Banished on May 05 2016,6:14 am
^^ someone sh!t the bed this morning Even when I point out the obvious you seem to be pissed. There are quite a few good people in AL but they're dwindling. AL's become a welfare state filled with meth heads, welfare cheats and past union members who want something for nothing.
Posted by grassman on May 05 2016,8:11 am
(Self-Banished @ May 05 2016,6:14 am)
QUOTE
^^ someone sh!t the bed this morning
Even when I point out the obvious you seem to be pissed. There are quite a few good people in AL but they're dwindling. AL's become a welfare state filled with meth heads, welfare cheats and past union members who want something for nothing.
Even when I point out the obvious you seem to be pissed. There are quite a few good people in AL but they're dwindling. AL's become a welfare state filled with meth heads, welfare cheats and past union members who want something for nothing.
Yeah, those no good take everything losers...
< http://usuncut.com/class-w...od-boil >
Posted by Self-Banished on May 05 2016,9:39 am
(grassman @ May 05 2016,8:11 am)
QUOTE
(Self-Banished @ May 05 2016,6:14 am)
QUOTE
^^ someone sh!t the bed this morning
Even when I point out the obvious you seem to be pissed. There are quite a few good people in AL but they're dwindling. AL's become a welfare state filled with meth heads, welfare cheats and past union members who want something for nothing.
Even when I point out the obvious you seem to be pissed. There are quite a few good people in AL but they're dwindling. AL's become a welfare state filled with meth heads, welfare cheats and past union members who want something for nothing.
Yeah, those no good take everything losers...
< http://usuncut.com/class-w...od-boil >
Fine then, let's end ALL WELFARE, as it should be.
Let us not forget these slimes too
< https://nrtwc.org/obamas-govt-spent-134-6-million-show-union-jobs/ >
Posted by grassman on May 05 2016,9:52 am
Ok, let's look at the number of people, who benefited from those millions of dollars, verus the number of people who did from those billions of dollars, that I had brought for example. 
Posted by Self-Banished on May 05 2016,10:49 am
(grassman @ May 05 2016,9:52 am)
QUOTE
Ok, let's look at the number of people, who benefited from those millions of dollars, verus the number of people who did from those billions of dollars, that I had brought for example.
Wtf does that have to do with it?
Posted by Self-Banished on May 05 2016,2:55 pm
< https://cei.org/2014...fy-2012 >Oh! Here's a good one!
[URL=http://m.watchdog.org/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwatchdog.org%2F163675%2Firs-union-subsidies%2F&utm_referrer=#2900]http://m.watchdog.org/?url=ht...r=#2900[/URL
Posted by hymiebravo on May 07 2016,6:27 pm
Last headlines I saw involving this story said the hog company was offering over a million dollars to the Mason City school system and that they were concerned about law and order at the next council meeting down there. Looks like Albert Lea is making different plans for the former hog plant site. So I guess they couldn't move there either.
As far as the speculation on Owatonna:
It has been discussed here before. People seem to not pay attention. The closer proximity to the Twin Cities area. the Highway 14 corridor, and Buzz Kaplan's procurement of Cabela's just to name three things have lead to a palpable lively Owatonna.
QUOTE
In fact, Cabela's of Owatonna quickly became the No. 2 retail destination in Minnesota behind the Mall of America.
"We get about four million visitors a year," said Meyer.
"We get about four million visitors a year," said Meyer.
< http://archives.ecmpublishers.info/static...na.html >
Posted by Self-Banished on May 08 2016,6:41 am
As far as logistics go AL's stellar, US highways, two interstates and two railroads. What's happened is miss management, a town with leaders of little vision.
Posted by Botto 82 on May 08 2016,12:26 pm
Meanwhile, Austin renovates its downtown (the one-fourth of it they haven't demolished in the last decade, anyway) and acts like the SPAM Museum is some sort of destination, like Wall Drug or the Corn Palace. The stupid is strong in these morons, as criminal elements from Chicago and Milwaukee take hold, against a backdrop of cries from the former mayor for "Diversity!" someone so short-sighted that the moment her own neighborhood became diverse, she felt the need to move out of it. Be careful what you wish for...
Posted by Self-Banished on May 08 2016,1:35 pm
Oh, there are ways of controlling the criminal elements too though thug cops need to be a bit more descrite now days.
Posted by hymiebravo on May 09 2016,6:44 am
One the great Genius marketing strategies of all time - 
Posted by Self-Banished on May 09 2016,8:48 am
^^ quite the advertising Signs thousands of miles away all over the country.
Posted by Liberal on May 12 2016,9:26 am
(Botto 82 @ May 08 2016,12:26 pm)
QUOTE
Meanwhile, Austin renovates its downtown (the one-fourth of it they haven't demolished in the last decade, anyway) and acts like the SPAM Museum is some sort of destination, like Wall Drug or the Corn Palace. The stupid is strong in these morons, as criminal elements from Chicago and Milwaukee take hold, against a backdrop of cries from the former mayor for "Diversity!" someone so short-sighted that the moment her own neighborhood became diverse, she felt the need to move out of it.
Be careful what you wish for...
Be careful what you wish for...
Last at time the wife's family was here they couldn't wait to go to the Spam museum They loved it and bought a bunch of weird spam including 3 cans for us. That was 5 years ago and the spam is still in the cupboard and will never be eaten unless there's a zombie apocalypse.
Posted by Self-Banished on May 12 2016,9:49 am
^^< https://youtu.be/-hVWEefD5ag >