Groundbreaking on $300 million chicken plant takes place.
Gov.
Pete Ricketts and Fremont Mayor Scott Getzschman spoke to the crowd and were joined by representatives from Costco Wholesale, and the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership.
The facility is expected to add about 800 jobs and produce 2 million chickens per week to be sold at Costco stores, a press release from the Ricketts office states.
Ricketts said the project will give economic opportunities to local residents, including farmers.
Overall, it is projected to have a $1.2 billion economic impact on the state each year, he said.
A lawsuit introduced by Nebraska Communities United said the land was illegally ruled blighted and substandard for tax incremental financing purposes.
The lawsuit recently was dismissed by a Dodge County judge.
Costco announced plans for an expanded version of the poultry facility.
The development is eligible for more than $18.3 million in tax-increment financing, almost $5 million more than originally projected.