Proposal for a small beef processing plant in north-central Kansas gained approval from county commissioners on Wednesday despite some strong local opposition.
Ottawa County, Kan., commissioners voted 2 to 1 to approve a plan by Lava Angus Processing that would convert a former auto racetrack near Minneapolis, Kan., into a meat processing plant. Local news reports called turnout at the County Commission meeting “strong,” with most of the public speaking in opposition to the plans.
The commission meeting was held in Minneapolis, pop. 1,795, the county seat, where residents expressed concerns about the impact of a slaughterhouse, including odor. Residents also said the original plan began with a 50-head-per-day capacity but now calls for 120-head-per-day in the first year, 250-per-day the third year and up to 500-head-per-day by year five.
Fifty jobs are expected to be created at the conclusion of the first year and with the expectation of up to 130 job openings by year six.
