The Leavenworth County Commission this (MON) morning backed off its support for a controversial chicken processing plant, throwing the future of the massive project into doubt. The Commission voted 2-to-1 to formally rescind a resolution that would have paved the way for $500 million in bonds to be issued for construction of the Tyson plant. The shift comes after a heated town hall meeting hosted by Kansas lawmakers in Tonganoxie Friday that drew more than 2,000 people. Republican state Representative Willie Dove says residents are frustrated, in part, because Tyson and the county commission have not been transparent.
State and local officials had put the deal together for the chicken plant without public input before it was unveiled by Governor Sam Brownback earlier this month. It’s unclear if Tyson will move forward without the promise of the county bonds.