Group pushes for Nash chicken processing center

Rocky Mount, N.C. — A group wanting a chicken processing plant to be built in Nash County kicked off a campaign Tuesday that urges support for the project, which could bring thousands of jobs to the area.

Poultry producer Sanderson Farms proposed in November building a chicken processing plant off N.C. Highway 97 in Nash County.

The proposal has sparked concern from residents concerned about property values and air and water pollution, despite Nash County Board of Commissioners voting to rezone the property and research that shows no potential environmental problems.

Skip Carney, with NEW NC Jobs for Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson, says the plant will help, not hurt, the region, which has a 12.23 percent unemployment rate.

In addition to 2,700 positions, including construction jobs, about $100 million would be invested into the struggling region, Carney said.

The group of business leaders launched TV commercials and a website aimed at critics, including the city of Wilson, which has filed a lawsuit to stop the plant over concerns about ground water.

“(It’s) to give voice to the more than 13,000 people in the region that are out of work and need these jobs and to the many, many people who agree that Sanderson Farms will be good for Nash, Wilson and Edgecombe counties,” Carney said.

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Latest Comments

RT Rat, Just a guess but are you against new EE's in the county. Tarheal and Smithfield plant seem to be getting along just fine, Lots of workers, with new cars, and the local stores look busy, Its called progress,,,

oleguy
February 23, 2011 6:33 p.m.

Thousands of people are out of work in this country and people are concered about the smell and whatever. I am retired and I would welcome the plant even if it was close to my home in order to give jobs to people. Whatever happened to the American way of helping each other? So many people today are so self-centered and selfish. If they lost their job that might change their thinking.

superman
February 23, 2011 12:47 p.m.

Heck, Sanderson Farms is not even here yet, but just look at how much it is helping the Wilson Times newspaper. If it wasn't for Sanderson Farms, Wilson could only write about rising crime, high unemployment and a mall that is all but dead. I could think of a lot of things Wilson could spend that million dollars. The residents of Wilson should be outraged about this whole dispute. People still have not got over how Wilson stole land from Nash Co. and Johnston Co. Nash Co. needs Sanderson Farms, so just leave them alone and worry about Wilson. It has a lot of problems.

elainaworrell
February 23, 2011 11:57 a.m.

If they were not guaranteed it for 2 YEARS then maybe they would go back to work? And "river rat" you must have one of them BIG NICE houses you are worried about dropping in value. If you all are so concerned about your county and City of Rocky Mount how about do something to help things and not just keep jobs from coming to the area. I am sure you all live in a nice house, and are very comfortable outside of the city where you dont have to see all the business STILL CLOSING and SHUTTING DOWN. HAVE you noticed that currently in ROCKY MOUNT you have a better chance of being a VICTIM of a VIOLENT CRIME than in DURHAM NC? Nash Co is far from a where it NEEDS to be. And yes I am smart enough that Sanderson Farms is not going to solve all these problems either. But I am also smart enough that if everyone that is trying to keep this plant away would spend that energy on HELPING real PROBLEMS then things would definitely IMPROVE. But u dont care about real problems. You have all you nd

RM24
February 23, 2011 9:59 a.m.

Good point, atom ant......but who says they will give up their welfare checks and food stamps? Both of these are legal for American citizens, which their children legally qualify for AS American citizens. Multiply that $213.00 a week by the number of adults living in one house, and you're talking pretty good money there, sir....with ten working adults in a household, that's better than two thousand a WEEK. Is there really any wonder America is a beacon for those who seek "A more abundant life"? ;)

6079 SMITH W
February 23, 2011 8:37 a.m.