A Wichita economic development organization is working on the next steps to land a new Tyson Foods poultry complex in Sedgwick County.
The Greater Wichita Partnership is completing studies on the labor market, the agricultural grower network and environmental requirements.
Jaimie Garnett, executive vice president of strategic communications at Greater Wichita Partnership, says this is part of the initial planning phase.
"The process will take some time and there will be numerous steps involved and a lot of due diligence," Garnett says. "As we learn more from the company on their timeframe, we will continue to share those next steps with stakeholders, elected officials and the community."
Garnett says the organization also plans to gather community input.
She says the Greater Wichita Partnership is working on Sedgwick County’s proposal on behalf of public partners and the community.
Tyson Foods selected Sedgwick, Montgomery and Cloud counties as finalists in Kansas for a $320 million processing plant and related buildings. The company is also considering options in other states.
Tyson originally proposed to build the facility in Leavenworth County, but local leaders withdrew support in late September following public opposition.
The project would bring about 1600 jobs to the community where it’s located.
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