Why Iowans don't want Prestage

We all know Prestage is a bad deal for Wright County and all of Iowa. Here are 10 concerns we've heard from you. 

1. This project will actually hurt our community economically. A report by ISU economist Dave Swenson shows that:

   • average earnings per job are far lower than the regional average;

   • the cost of increased public services outweigh any tax gains;

   • no “housing boom” will result from this development; and

   • Prestage is touting a far-fetched proposal, which has no basis in reality.

2. Prestage will exploit workers.

   • Slaughterhouses have one of the highest injury and turnover rates of any industry.

   • These jobs are low-paying, high-injury, non-union jobs.

   • Hourly wages begin at $13/hour. Using a traditional 40 hour work week for a family of two adults and one child, this family would qualify for public assistance.

3. This slaughterhouse will mean more factory farm pollution in our community.

   • Livestock analyst Steve Meyer said that 9.625 million more hogs will be needed to fill the 5 Midwest plants currently being built or remodeled - which includes the Prestage slaughterhouse. This means more factory farms, but Wright County already has enough!

   • Iowa's factory farms produce 22 billion gallons of liquid manure annually.

   • In 2015, Iowa had a record-breaking number of beach closings.

   • There were 67 manure spills in 2015.

   • Iowa has 725 impaired waterways.

4. The slaughterhouse will draw water from the Jordan Aquifer, which is already at risk.

   • "Experts say the aquifer needs decades to recharge. In many places, including parts of Iowa, the water is being drawn from the aquifer faster than it can be recharged." — Des Moines Register

   • Webster County has been identified by the Iowa DNR as threatening the aquifer's water supply.

5. Iowa taxpayer dollars shouldn't go to a giant out-of-state corporation.

   • Prestage is an out-of-state corporation and the nation's 5th largest hog producer. They don't need our taxpayer dollars.

   • We don't want our money going toward a company that will pollute our environment and exploit workers.

   • There's no foundation in economics to subsidize this slaughterhouse. Iowa has the highest concentration of hogs in the nation, which is incentive enough for the company to locate in Iowa.

6. This proposal is being rushed.

   • Wright County has no idea how much they'll will be on the hook for this slaughterhouse. In Mason City, the community was expected to pay $15 in tax incentives and $34 in general obligation bonds.

   • Prestage and the county should do an environmental impact study.

   • The public has not been given enough time to learn about this proposal and truly weigh in.

7. Prestage will externalize costs onto the community.

   • Eagle Grove will have to build a new wastewater treatment facility.

   • Road conditions will worsen as a result of hundreds of trucks going to and from the plant every day.

   • School expenses will increase.

   • Property values will decrease.

8. Wright County schools are already on the state's watch list.

   • Wright County Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High Scool is in the bottom 3% of Iowa schools with a "priority" rating. "Priority" is the lowest rating.

   • Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Elementary ranks a "needs improvement." This puts it in the bottom 12% of Iowa Elementary schools.

9. We don't want another DeCoster.

   • Wright County already has odor and fly problems, diminishing the quality of life for many residents because of this industry.

   • We support sustainable and local family farms, not corporate ag!

10. We can do better!

    • There are other healthy and sustainable development projects that could make Wright County a great place where people want to live. A massive slaughterhouse will send us down the wrong path. Get creative!

 LIKE and SHARE to say No Public Money, No Prestage.