Is a meat processing plant coming to Whitehall?

Exploratory talks of establishing a meat processing plant in Whitehall have started in earnest, with a second community discussion set for Monday, Nov. 4.

Community members first came together Sept. 16, spurred by the efforts of Jefferson County Commissioner Leonard Wortman, according to Kaleena Miller, Montana State University Extension Ag and Natural Resources agent for Madison and Jefferson counties.

Wortman engaged both the extension office and the Jefferson Local Development Corporation to get their read on the possibility of a local meat processing plant, “both from a business point of view as well as the local producer lens,” she said by email.