MASON CITY – Legislators Sharon Steckman and Amanda Ragan – who both live in Mason City – held a public forum Saturday morning, April 2, 2016 at the Mason City library and were asked about where they stand on a proposed, massive $240 million pork plant for Mason City that is about 2 weeks from final approval (ground would then be broken this summer on the city’s south side). The plant would receive about $15 million in state incentives and process 10,000 hogs every shift, employing nearly 1,000 once it opens (and up to 2,000 when a second shift is potentially added).
Despite clear leadership from Governor Terry Branstad, who made it very clear is 100% in favor of the development, both Representative Steckman and Senator Ragan refused to offer an opinion on the plant (for or against) and how it might impact the city, county, region and state of Iowa. They were asked about impacts to the environment, water, hog confinements, social issues including impacts on schools and how – if at all – involved in the process of welcoming Prestage Foods, LLC, they were (they did not attend the grand announcement with Governor Branstad at the Park Inn Hotel on March 21).
Both legislators only advised the public to speak to their city council members, despite the clear impact of the plant on neighboring communities and the region they represent.
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