Source: MEATINGPLACE, 11/6/14


Crowds of local farmers and residents attended two public meetings last week to hear about studies on the feasibility of locating a chicken plant in Pittsylvania County, Va., that could create potential economic benefits, according to the Chatham Star-Tribune.

Pittsylvania County received a state grant this past spring for a feasibility study aimed at attracting a poultry integrator to southern Virginia.  

About 125 people attended a meeting for farmers organized by the county last week, and about 50 people turned out for a second meeting for the general public, according to the report.

A plant could process 1.25 million chickens per week, employ 1,200 workers, and would require 100 contract growers and 550 chicken houses, for an overall economic impact on the county of $350 million, a consultant and public officials estimated.

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