Micro-Meat Processing Plant Being Considered For a Property South of Fort Scott

The is an image of the proposed micro-meat processing plant. Submitted.

The Fort Scott Planning Commission is meeting at 4 p.m.  March 1 at city hall, 123 S. Main, to consider a conditional use permit for property south of the town for a micro-meat processing plant.

The property being considered is south of the Kansas Department of Transportation property, according to the press release from the City of Fort Scott.  The K.D.O.T property is south of the LaRoche Baseball Park.

Jody Hoenor, Bourbon County Economic Development Director. Submitted photo.

The Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoenor sent the following information on the proposed plant.

“Billy Madison, the owner of W Diamond M Meats, will be seeking the approval of a conditional use permit from City of Fort Scott Commission,” Hoenor said.  “He plans to return to his hometown and build a $2.7million micro meat processing plant located approximately two miles outside the city limits of Fort Scott and south of the Fort Scott Industrial Park.”

“The processing plant will add to our efforts in building resilient and self-sustaining food systems,” Hoenor said. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for these smaller-scale processing plants, and we are very fortunate to be considered for this expansion. This proposal has potential to help farmers and ranchers with extra supplemental income act as a stimulus for other sectors such as retail trade and services.”

“The site is currently zoned correctly as heavy industrial for use,” she said.  “The City of Fort Scott codes requires an additional conditional use permit approval for a meat processing plant to be built.”

The City of Fort Scott Water Department and Codes Enforcment were consulted on sewer and wastewater issues, she said.

“The codes department let us know we would need a conditional use permit to build on the selected site,” Hoener said.

Since July 2020, Madison has been working with Hoener and Bourbon County Economic Development Council Chairs, Steve Buerge (previous), and more recently Gregg Motley, she said.

“It is Madison’s goal is to be a good neighbor, bring above-average wage jobs, and provide value in under-developed land,” Hoenor said.  “Financing of the project and acquisition of land is pending approval of the conditional use permit.”

“All impacts on social, economic, and environmental conditions were investigated thoroughly including air and water quality, crime rate, property valuation, wage growth, employment growth, occupational health, and odor,” she said.

“State of the art wastewater system is used to remove suspended matter such as oils and solids,” Hoenor said.  “This is measured through biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).  The equipment skims any leftover matter and is sold. Bacteria growth is what creates an offensive odor,” she said.”The requirements in cleaning are incredibly stringent and does not allow time for bacteria to grow. As a result, there is no offensive odor in the processing plant.”

“This is a highly regulated industry with a USDA inspector office on sight,” she said.  ” It is a requirement in building plans that the USDA inspector has a separate office with his/her own shower.  This inspector is on-site at all times while in operation.  There are 3-4 additional inspections per month, in order to keep our food safe to consume.”

“There will be no outdoor pens or holding areas for animals, mitigating smell downwind or in the vicinity,” Hoenor said.  “Animals are delivered in the very early morning hours and several hours later slaughtered and processed.”

 

“Letters of support from residential houses in Johnson County and commercial businesses have confirmed the business is a conscientious neighbor,” she said.

In addition, the product can be sold in other states and will bring new jobs.

“W Diamond M Meats is FSIS approved, allowing the meat to be sold across state lines, injecting capital into our economy,” Hoenor said.  “This business will bring 30 full-time jobs that pay higher than Bourbon County average.  The new construction increases overall county valuation in property and affords the opportunity to reduce the overall tax burden.”

 

9 thoughts on “Micro-Meat Processing Plant Being Considered For a Property South of Fort Scott”

  1. What? What about the blood run off and pollution caused by even a micro slaughterhouse- over 60% of all pollution is caused by the production of meat. A smaller slaughterhouse is not going to make it any safer for covid either. I would hate to be a close neighbor listening to the cattle cry for their lives as they’re lined up watching the cow in front of them being shot in head with a cattle prod (equivalent to a shot gun blast) chained around a hind leg, hoisted up into air where it throat is cut– where they try and wrench their bodies around to save themselves from the pain and agony. What about the ‘dead piles’ of cows- with broken legs and other infirmaties that can’t walk themselves up the ramp to their deaths, they lay all day in pain until shot. Yes it’s true ANIMALS, ALL ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS.

  2. My comment is awaiting moderation?? Why ask for comments if you’re going to edit them? I have every right to I form people about what the cows go through and what they’ll experience. My question is: Is someone being paid off?

  3. OK, I grew up near Emporia with Iowa Beef Processors and more recently 20 years in Dodge City with their 2 beef packing houses. Do not believe that just because there is no outside pens that this will not smell to high heaven. IBP and the others tried to tell the residents of Emporia and Dodge City this lie. Well it does smell due to the processing itself and there is no way to hide it. And as for it to going in South of the ballpark you will be quickly aware of this. Remember, the wind in Kansas summer is primarily out of the South. So hot dog and burger sales at the concession stand will be down. So beware of what you get. Caveat Emptor.

  4. Next to the ball park-out of town visitors will have to hold their noses closed.
    What are you thinking!
    Please dont ruin that beautiful ball park with stink from the processing plant.
    There is plenty of land other places in bourbon county.

  5. Putting a meat processing plant next to a ballpark is absolutely insane! Whose crazy idea was this? Hope the people of Ft.Scott won’t let this happen…

  6. THIS IS A MISTAKE!

    I worked in a packing house in Edwardsville that was hell on earth!
    The fights and that STINK!… OMG!

    I wanted to live in a place safe and clean when I retired.
    Fort Scott was a great choice and now this mistake so close to my new home!

    Let’s get scientific and read the study below.

    http://animalstudies.msu.edu/Slaughterhouses_and_Increased_Crime_Rates.pdf

    I am not against the ideal and understand the need for such a facility.

    This is a big county, is there not a better place to put this stinker far away from our homes and why next to a ballpark?

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