Pork processor pledges buffer zone around CL

Local city officials remain quiet on Prestage plan

Officials from the City of Clear Lake remain mum on a proposal by Prestage Foods to build a $240 million pork processing plant in Mason City, however the company announced last week it has agreed to a two and one-half mile buffer zone around the cities of Mason City and Clear Lake, as well as the lake itself in which it will not construct any hog confinements or purchase animals from a facility in that area.

That assurance, along with a pledge to pay the Mason City School District $1.4 million over a 10-year period to address potential growth issues, was added to a pending development agreement under consideration by the the Mason City Council.

Those opposed to the Prestage plant in Mason City spoke to the Clear Lake City Council April 4 and urged the group to voice its concern over the proposed project.  The topic was not on the agenda and local leaders did not have an open discussion about it.  However, following the open forum section of the meeting, Mayor Nelson Crabb read a statement leaving the door open for possible dissent.

“Over the years, the City of Clear Lake has established a political precedent of opposing large scale commercial confinement operations within the Lake watershed and critical areas surrounding it.  As this potential economic development project (Prestage) evolves, it may come to be that the City Council of Clear Lake would, in the future, consider taking a position in opposition to such a proposal as being counterintuitive to our community’s primary economic engine (tourism) and the preservation and enhancement of our natural environment,” stated Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb.

Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tim Coffey said his Board of Directors has discussed Prestage a great deal at the Board level, at the Executive Committee level and with the City.

“We have no official comment about the project, in large part because it is out of our control and jurisdiction, and there are a good many “what ifs” connected with the proposed project,” said Coffey,

A public hearing for a final development agreement between Prestage and the City of Mason City will be held May 3.