New $240M Hog Processing Plant to be Built in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Prestage Farms will build new $240 million hog processing plant in Wright County after an earlier plan to build in Mason City failed.

The company said Tuesday the new hog plant will create 900 new jobs in north-central Iowa -- about an hour southeast of the original proposed site.

The Des Moines Register reports construction could begin this fall with the plant opening in 2018.

Earlier this year, Mason City officials failed to approve an agreement with Clinton, North Carolina, based Prestage. The project faced local opposition.

Wright County Economic Development Director Bryce Davis says numerous businesses and organizations support the project.

Iowa had previously approved nearly $11.5 million in tax incentives for the project, but Prestage will have to reapply for incentives at the new location.