Tyson wants poultry plant built where it’s welcome

Tyson Foods was caught by surprise in September when residents of Tonganoxie and Leavenworth County, Kansas, made it clear that they did not want the company to build a broiler complex in their community. That public outcry led public officials to withdraw their support for the $320 million complex and Tyson Foods to re-evaluate where it would locate the plant.Tyson Foods CEO Tom Hayes, who said this is the first time since the 1990s that Tyson Foods has announced plans to build a new plant, indicated that this was a learning experience for the company.While speaking to reporters on a November 13 conference call, Hayes said that Tyson Foods worked with Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, state representatives and leaders from Leavenworth County to develop what they thought was a good plan. Tonganoxie area residents disagreed.“I don’t know how in touch all the officials were with what the direct local sentiment was,” Hayes said.As Tyson Foods continues to narrow its search for a new location for the poultry complex, which is to include a poultry plant, feed mill and hatchery, the company wants to “have a really strong pulse” on what the residents of the community want.