MASON CITY – Dozens of protesters were gathering at the Mason City library Tuesday night, ahead of what could be the deciding vote on a massive hog slaughterhouse the council have been considering for a few weeks.
People were still gathering at 5:30, and already dozens were on-hand right outside the doors to the Mason City Room, where tonight’s council meeting will start at 7 PM. Cars were driving by, honking support and giving the “thumbs-up” to the crowd.
Participants passed a loudspeaker around, and several people had already began to voice their opposition to the plant; the crowd would chant in between.
The hog slaughterhouse has become a hot-button issue since it was finally brought to the public eye just a few short weeks ago. Some in the community want the plant to be built and support the development, others have become a strong, vocal opposition to the plant.
The city council will consider for the final time tonight an economic incentive plan for Prestage Foods worth millions of dollars. If approved, little will stand in the way of ground being broken on the plant later this summer.