Meat processing in Whitehall? ‘No limit,’ but daunting

Could there be a meat processing plant in Whitehall? Definitely. Should there be? That’s another question.

Producers and Jefferson County officials gathered Nov. 4 at Whitehall’s Community Center to further explore the possibility of establishing a processing facility. The meeting, hosted by the MSU Madison-Jefferson Extension Service, surfaced two insights: The potential upside for a new plant is significant. And the challenges are daunting.

The event, attended by 45 producers and others and featuring a panel of experts from across the meat industry, was the second gathering prompted by County Commissioner Leonard Wortman’s inquiry about the feasibility of a processing plant. At an introductory gathering on September 16, community members explored the possibility of a cooperative ownership model.