Most everyone in Mason City, Clear Lake, and other parts of the state are aware of the newest Iowa Economic Development Authority’s project – Presatge Foods of Iowa. Prestage, home-based in North Carolina, wants to build a pork processing plant inside Mason City’s southern city limits.  This huge $240 million dollar project involving a massive 650,000 square foot building was dropped like……a ton of bricks?  A bomb?  Or a Giant Redwood falling on our community.  Or should we go with what City Administrator Brent Trout said, “This will be a changer for Mason City.”  What Trout said was a mouthful and I hope we don’t all choke on it.

Anyway, I’d have to say this is by far the largest project and decision for Mason City in my lifetime, and probably yours.  With that said, I must interrupt my train of thought and share with you 2 pieces of mail I received in the past week.

Letter 1     This letter is typical of the mail I’ve gotten over the years.  They’re usually not signed, and most of the time the content isn’t very accurate.  They’re usually just mean spirited, personal and vindictive.  I give this letter a 6 on a scale of 1-10.  That’s my own grading system….and it’s confidential.  I do know that several people in the community received the same letter.

Letter 2    This is the more serious and telling of the two letters.  I’ll give this a 10 on my confidential grading scale of personal attack letters.  After you read letter two, you’ll understand why.

I remember several times, late last year, driving west on 19th St SW past the former AMPI or State Brands Creamery building (on the corner of Pierce Ave and 19th St SW, just 1 mile north of the proposed Prestage plant) seeing vehicles and equipment with Illinois license plates at the plant.  At that time someone said a food processor was coming to town, but nothing ever opened up.  Then, with the announcement of Prestage, the first thing I did was simply go out and drive around, checking out the lay of the land.  I won’t go into my MO, but what I found was more activity on the back side of AMPI.  I saw those same vehicles with Illinois plates and more equipment.  I stopped and spoke with one of the three workers.  He was very friendly and accommodating, but didn’t know much about the company.  These companies can be very difficult to trace, but here’s what I’ve found so far.  The new owner of this building is Chipped Brick, LLC.  PO Box 244, Alpha, IL 61413.  Cerro Gordo Property search #071740002700.  The name of the company is Iowa Dry Transload Services, 1305 19th St SW.  Which is related to Midwest Dry Transload, Inc.  641-423-0391.  Email Tim@iowadry.com.  My googling and reading has led me to believe that there’s more to these companies than meets the eye.  I’m not ready to call it good or bad.  Feel free to do your own research.  I’m thinking it may be linked to Prestage.  Letter 2 says I’m going to shit my pants when they tell me what’s coming to town next.  More later….

MY FINDINGS:

Associated Milk Producers Inc., to Chipped Brick LLC, 17-96-20, NE SE, SE SE, Part of E ½ N and W of RR Exc W50’ and Also Exc Parcel as Desc in Survey B91 P1056 and Exc Part of NE of SE Deeded to City of Mason City B08 P5586, $500,000.

North Iowa Area Community College, State of Iowa-$3485000 Taxable Industrial New Jobs Training Certificates, Series 2015-1, November 6, 2015.

Midwest Dry Transload, Inc.- Midwest Dry Transload, Inc. designs, builds, and operates one of a kind processing for dry food by products.  They pack and depack: supersack, bag, box, tote and gaylord dry food byproducts for a variety of customers and brokers all over the United States which in turn move these products all over the world.  Midwest Dry also warehouses products customized for short or long term storage requirements.  They also offer contract pelleting, mixing, grinding, screen cleaning, and separation services.  Midwest Dry’s style of operation also allows their customers to be able to custom brand products with all their own unique trademarks.

Midwest Dry is adding 15 new positions to their Mason City, Iowa location.  Positions include, production, warehousing, office support, and supervisors.

Pet-Food Manufacturer Shutting Down After Spending ‘Every Penny’ to Comply with OSHA Standards-Click link to read full story.

http://ehstoday.com/safety/pet-food-manufacturer-shutting-down-after-spending-every-penny-comply-osha-standards

In all fairness I had an amicable discussion with Mr. Tim Anderson.  He was very forthright in answering my questions.  When we talked about the NIACC Job Training Bill, it became more sketchy.  I am not sure that was totally accurate that he talked more about the safety issue than job training.  Mr. Anderson spent $500000 acquiring the former AMPI building.  There is going to be more activity than just 15 employees bagging pellets and transloading.  When asked if he had any relationship with Prestage Farms, Inc. he said, “no, not at all, but he is very aware of what is 1 mile south of him.” He also responded that he would not turn down a conversation with Prestage in the future.  His company does have experience with meat, bone, bloodmeal, roasting, etc.  He also mentioned that he there will be certain kind of business that will follow a plant that size, (Prestage) and they will most likely support the hog processing industry.  He said that Progressive Rail is also in his building and they may be doing some sort of food tanker business in the future.  He said that Mason City is in a favorable position to attract this kind of business.  Dog food plant, possibly.  Is this the answer to letter #2, where the author said, “Max is going to shit his pants, when we tell him what is coming to town next?”  Anything can happen after the May 3, 2016 Mason City Council vote.