The Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) grassroots group has released a report by Dave Swenson, an Iowa State University economist, they say negates the claim that the Prestage Foods slaughterhouse in Eagle Grove will be a boon for that community and Wright County. They claim the report substantiates their position that the average earnings per job will be much lower than the regional average, that the cost of increased public services will outweigh any tax gains the county sees, that there will not be a housing boom or increased development and that the Prestage proposal has no basis in reality. The release comes just days before Wright County officials are scheduled to vote Monday on a development agreement with the North Carolina based company. Wright County and Prestage are planning to submit an application for state funds, which needs county-level approval first. Tom Hoyt, an Eagle Grove resident who lives approximately 2.5 miles from the proposed site says, “This is another example of the county supervisors shoving this proposal down our throats and shutting the public out of the process. How can we make informed decisions without knowing how much we are on the hook for?” he asked. On July 5, Prestage announced the $240 million hog plant would be built on a 150+ acre site southwest of Eagle Grove. They estimate the plant will bring nearly $2.7 million in property taxes and employ nearly 900 people with an average rate of pay at $15.71.
