Lincoln County celebrates Rancher-Owned Meatpacking Plant and Industrial Rail Park
The strength and security of the Nebraska cattle industry took a large step forward this week as well as value added agriculture efforts. Two massive, Nebraska Farm Bureau backed, projects in the North Platte area kicked off with events featuring Governor Ricketts and other statewide leaders.
A construction commencement event was held in downtown North Platte to mark the beginning of construction on the Sustainable Beef project. Sustainable Beef, LLC is a collaborative of Nebraskan ranchers and agricultural leaders who have invested to open a large, independent, beef processing plant in North Platte. The goal for the plant is to provide the market with another Nebraskan processing choice outside of large processors.
CEO David Briggs outlined the project and the economic impact to the area. Estimated to bring over a billion dollars to the region and provide 850 permanent jobs along with 1,300 temporary jobs during construction, 1,500 head a day will be able to pass through the plant.
The ceremony featured speeches from Congressman Adrian Smith, Senator Deb Fischer, and Governor Pete Ricketts.
Governor Ricketts and many attendees then headed down US-Hwy 30 to meet with leaders of the Hershey Rail Park Project. After receiving a $30 million grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to build a rail access business park, the area is applying to become an inland port authority. Inland port authorities will collect exportable Nebraska products, mainly agricultural in nature, to be cleared by customs and shipped.
The Governor and other speakers highlighted the added value to agriculture as over $7 billion in ag products were exported in 2020 alone.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau was proud to support these projects both in legislative efforts and through community partnerships during the development process.
