sanderson Farms still likes nash

CEO says he can wait

By GeoFFery CooPer
Staff Writer

Despite months of backlash from opponents, Sanderson Farms executives said theyre committed to building a poultry processing plant in Nash County . Sanderson Farms CEO Joe Sanderson, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Mike Cockrell, President and Chief Operating Officer Lampkin Butts and Director of Development Bob Billingsley visited Nash County last week to preview sites they said they hope will become the companys second North Carolina plant. The executives from the Laurel, Miss.-based company also used the trip to talk with some Twin Counties government and community leaders about the inner workings of the proposed project. SANDeRSON Company officials said they mainly wanted to gauge the thoughts of leaders as to whether the project was best for the area. In a roundtable discussion with the Telegram at the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, Sanderson said he and his team were pleased with all of the sites and the positive feedback they received from local leaders about the potential project. I felt good about their support. I regret that theyre having to defend us, Sanderson said. We dont have a timeline. We want to do things right. The most important thing is to get things right. The 180,000-square-foot facility would be located near the interchange of N.C. 97 and Interstate 95 and would house a hatchery and its own wastewater See SANDERSON, 3A

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treatment plant. A few miles away from the plant would be land for the companys spray field. For more than two months, opponents of the plant have tried to keep Sanderson Farms from coming to the area. Opponents said they are concerned about the companys potential impact on the areas land, air and water quality . Since the Nash County Board of Commissioners rezoned 150 acres for general industrial development, hundreds of residents of Nash and Wilson counties have opposed the decision. A lawsuit with more than 30 Nash and Wilson counties residents and the city of Wilson alleges the countys rezoning was unlawful. Sanderson said he normally anticipates opposition from residents who live near a proposed processor site but not from adjacent county governments. Im not surprised at some people right here in (Nash County). People up here are

Telegram file photo / Emma Tannenbaum

The Sanderson Farms chicken processing plant in Kinston.

just not used to (having a poultry plant), Sanderson said. What Im surprised at is Wilson County Were not doing . anything in Wilson County . Sanderson also addressed what he called half-truths regarding the companys pay scale, benefits, working conditions, claims of the use of illegal and migratory workers and abandoning sites. If they want to deal in the truth then Im all for that, Sanderson said. I respect (opponents) opinions, but distortion of facts is inappropriate, I think. I dont mind people questioning and not knowing, but thats not right. When people misrepresent theyre trying to hide something and distort. Weve done so much homework on this (state and federal environmental agencies) would never have put their stamp of approval on this if they thought there was any way in the world we would damage the environment, Sanderson said. Community leaders present at the meeting said the project would be beneficial to the areas work force and struggling

tax base. Officials said they wanted to reaffirm that Sanderson Farms plant to come to Nash County was the right choice. N.C. Rep. Angela Bryant, DNash, said in a telephone interview she still is learning more about the project and believes there has not been enough factual information circulating. I understand the jobs are good jobs. But whatever the communication has been it hasnt sunk in with the community, Bryant said. I am obligated to do anything thats possible to get jobs here, unless theres some harm to it. Im inclined to support them, but at the same time Im concerned about the process. If people in our community want these jobs, we need to strike a balance between them and the people that have concerns. I worry about the issue of class and those residents that already have. Is it fair that our citizens that need jobs continue to suffer? Bryant said. Rocky Mount Mayor David Combs said in a telephone interview that misinformation and assuming the worst about Sanderson Farms, without

constructive research, gives the region a black eye when it comes to future industrial recruitment. I think people havent taken time to get all of the facts about the company, Combs said. Im not saying theyre (Sanderson Farms) perfect. But contrary to whats being said, there are people out there that want those jobs. Theres a lot of frustration because of our situation with high unemployment and no job availability The people are looking for . a break from all of that. Litigation against Nash County has slowed the companys decision on whether to build in Nash or Wayne counties. Nash County commissioners are expected to redo the zoning from last November, which might not happen until April. But Sanderson said he is willing to wait until everything is ironed out. Im going to let (the opponents) do their thing, Sanderson said. This is a very desirable community, with great sites. We have patience. Were going to let whatever needs to be done be done. It doesnt bother me.