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Gallia County selected for packing plant

For a long time there’s been talk of a packing plant being built in Ohio. It’s now more than just talk.

Cincinnati based, Tri-State Beef has announced they’ll build a $30 million dollar facility in Bidwell, Melissa Clark, Director of Gallia County Economic Development says there are a number of reason Gallia County was chosen.

“First off you have to have the cattle herd and you have to have the availability of product for what they are doing,” Clark said. “We have the workforce available here and we have a history of food processing in our region, I think logistically it was a good fit for them, being able to bring cattle in from other states and around the region.”

Audio: Melissa Clark, Director, Gallia County Economic Development

Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, tells Brownfield the Tri-State Beef announcement is good news.

“Not only for beef and dairy cattle producers, but with the whole multiplier effect in terms of what it does for the economy, what it does in terms of jobs creation,” said the OCA Executive Director. “Just a huge opportunity that Ohio’s beef industry has been a part of, many different efforts for a long, long time, so we’re excited to see this opportunity that’s looking like a real possibility.”

Audio: Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association

Officials expect to break ground for the facility in 2015.