Tiny Nebraska town says no to 1,100 jobs, citing way of life - AP

[TomSea]

Tiny Nebraska town says no to 1,100 jobs, citing way of life

NICKERSON, Neb. (AP) — Half-ton pickup trucks crowd the curb outside the One Horse Saloon, a neon Coors Light sign in the window and rib-eye steaks on the menu, but otherwise Nickerson, Nebraska, is nearly silent on a spring evening, with only rumbling freight trains interrupting bird songs.

Regional economic development officials thought it was the perfect spot for a chicken processing plant that would liven up the 400-person town with 1,100 jobs, more than it had ever seen. When plans leaked out, though, there was no celebration, only furious opposition that culminated in residents packing the fire hall to complain the roads couldn't handle the truck traffic, the stench from the plant would be unbearable and immigrants and out-of-towners would flood the area, overwhelming schools and changing the town's character.

"Everyone was against it," said Jackie Ladd, who has lived there for more than 30 years. "How many jobs would it mean for people here? Not many."

The village board unanimously voted against the proposed $300 million plant, and two weeks later, the company said they'd take their plant — and money — elsewhere.

Deep-rooted, rural agricultural communities around the U.S. are seeking economic investments to keep from shedding residents, but those very places face trade-offs that increasing numbers of those who oppose meat processing plants say threaten to burden their way of life and bring in outsiders.

Read More At: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Tiny-Nebraska-town-says-no-to-1-100-jobs-citing-7387126.php

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Plenty of places would welcome that plant.

[mirraflake]

Plenty of places would welcome that plant.

Yes they would.  Small town stuck in their old ways...continuing to be even a smaller town as years progress.   

[montanajoe]

Bigger ain't always better...

[jmyrlefuller]

Plenty of places would welcome that plant.

Plenty of places would probably be a much better fit for that kind of operation, like a town with a population higher than the number of people they plan to employ.

[ScottinVA]

Looking at it from the standpoint of the current residents, one thing that should be considered is.. once the plant exhausts the available labor market from the nearby communities -- and it will -- it's going to look to other sources to fill the available positions.  "Other sources," as in... from across the southern border. 

[Fishrrman]

Those folks did the cautious and prudent thing, to preserve their village and way of life.

The lion's share of those "1,100 jobs" would probably go to illegals, who would transform that little town into something the residents surely wouldn't want to be around...

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I just stated that there are plenty of places that will welcome this plant. If they not like so much of rural America and living off of disability or something, then fine. I have no complaints.

[TomSea]

Those folks did the cautious and prudent thing, to preserve their village and way of life.

The lion's share of those "1,100 jobs" would probably go to illegals, who would transform that little town into something the residents surely wouldn't want to be around...

Illegals or maybe Refugees and one doesn't care to see a Mosque in the vicinity.

[libertyandfreedom]

Illegals or maybe Refugees and one doesn't care to see a Mosque in the vicinity.

There is a town here in Colorado (Ft. Morgan), that was sued by it's Muslim employee's because they wouldn't arrange work hours and breaks around the times for praying.  They won the battle, the last that I heard.  I don't know if they will win the war.

[Smokin Joe]

Looking at it from the standpoint of the current residents, one thing that should be considered is.. once the plant exhausts the available labor market from the nearby communities -- and it will -- it's going to look to other sources to fill the available positions.  "Other sources," as in... from across the southern border.

Once you fill the town with 10-20X the current population, it just will not be the same place. And folks there might not want to Hablar Espanol.

[R4 TrumPence]

If it is anything like the pig farm in Las Vegas, it needs to be waaay out of town. :nometalk: