City of Wilson, Nash County in $1M chicken fight

ROCKY MOUNT, NC (AP) — The city of Wilson and Nash County have
spent more than $1 million challenging each other over plans for a
new poultry processing plant.

The Telegram of Rocky Mount reports that Wilson is opposing the
proposed 180,000-square-foot Nash County facility based on concerns
over the region’s water quality.

Wilson officials joined 34 landowners from Nash and Wilson
counties in several lawsuits attempting to block the proposed
150-acre development.

Nash County officials say the site near Interstate 95 is
appropriate for the proposed Sanderson Farms’ poultry processing
plant. They say the facility would bring 1,100 jobs to the
economically distressed region with wages starting at $8.50 an
hour.

A judge recently dismissed two lawsuits against the project.
Landowners and the city of Wilson have not said whether they plan
to appeal.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)