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Piatt County will not become home to a
45,000-square-foot white corn processing plant after all. Last week, Clarkson Grain, one of the
firms involved — Molinero Inc., headquartered in Chicago, would be
the primary occupant — withdrew its application for a permit to build
the factory where masa, an ingredient in corn tortillas, would be produced. Clarkson Grain originally planned
to construct the plant next to the town of Lodge, but the Cerro Gordo-based
company selected an alternate site after local residents protested, citing
environmental concerns [see R.L. Nave, “Tortilla flap,” July
19]. Despite more opposition to the
second location, near White Heath, the Piatt County zoning board gave its
unanimous approval, albeit with several conditions, late last month. Rick Bucker, Clarkson
Grain’s general manager, says the company has decided not to pursue
the White Heath site, however. Other
counties, including adjacent Douglas County, provided “a combination
of assistance, services, and facilities,” required by their business
model, which Piatt County did not offer, Bucker says. Nor is special zoning required
for several of the sites that are now under consideration, he adds.
Trish Gale, Piatt County’s zoning administrator, believes
Clarkson grew tired of battling neighbors.
“Unfortunately we lost and
the people in the subdivisions won,” Gale says.
“I’m afraid this will
discourage anyone from trying to come in here and do anything in the
future.” — R.L. Nave
This article appears in Aug 16-22, 2007.
