Source:  Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/7/10

Commissioners in Nash County yesterday approved the purchase of a 145-acre parcel that may become the future home of a controversial Sanderson Farms poultry plant. The deal is expected to close later this month and will be paid through the county’s general fund, according to the Rocky Mountain Telegram.
The board agreed to pay $1.2 million for the land, which rezoned for general industrial use last month.

 While Sanderson Farms has not confirmed plans to open the plant in the area, opponents were given an opportunity to make arguments against the $96-million facility at Monday’s meeting. Dissenters are concerned about the plant negatively impacting local water resources despite potentially creating 1,100 jobs in the area.

The project is also the target of a lawsuit filed by the city of Wilson that alleges that Nash County failed to follow its own rules when notifying residents about the rezoning.

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