A meatpacking plant in central Iowa that’s been closed nearly seven years may soon be reopening. Iowa Premium Beef wants to revitalize the Tama Beef Packing Plant in Marshalltown by late this summer. Jeff Muchow is spokesman for the Amber Group, which is working to buy the plant.
Muchow says plans are being drawn up. He says the plant needs to be restored to operating mode especially after the building was damaged in flooding a few years ago, especially the electrical and refrigeration components. The Amber Group has been working to raise four-point-five-million dollars to purchase the plant, which has been idle since 2004. The group is seeking other investors for the project. Muchow says the building is nearly useable, but needs a few key upgrades.
Outlying rooms need to be reconfigured and those electrical and refrigeration systems will be brought out of the basement so flooding won’t have as severe an impact again. The wastewater treatment system will also be changed to meet D.N.R. specifications, while Iowa Premium Beef will spend $400,000 to dredge the current lagoons.
Muchow says the remodeling construction phase may be a month away with the electrical and refrigeration systems needing the most work.
Officials with Iowa Premium Beef hope to have the work completed by late summer in order to begin production. From 75 to 100 workers will be needed for the initial August startup.
By Lance Renaud, KFJB, Marshalltown
