PARK RIVER, N.D. -- If a proposed $1.7 million multispecies animal slaughter and processing plant is built in northeast North Dakota, Cavalier is the most financially feasible location.
Consultants chose Cavalier over Park River, the other finalist, saying the town has the required infrastructure in place while Park River does not.
But whether or not such a facility is built at all depends on attracting enough in investors, according to Julius Wangler, chairman of the Pembina-Walsh County slaughter and processing facility committee.
The announcement doesn't sit well with some Walsh County residents.
"I'm going on record right now that you guys are making a huge mistake if you put it in Cavalier," says Park River Mayor Dan Stenvold.
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Walsh County Extension Agent Brad Brummond says western Walsh County has the livestock and the producers to make it work.
"Why would our western Walsh County producers bring animals to Cavalier when Langdon is closer?" he asks.
Wangler says a final decision will not be made until the committee completes a search campaign for investors.
"Fundraising is the biggest factor," he says.
Cavalier Mayor Ken Briese says he is pleased the city was named the frontrunner, but he cautions that the race is not over.
"I'm happy, but it's not final yet. We'll have to wait until a final decision is made."
The group intends to conduct an investor campaign in the next two months, he says, and a final location for the proposed plant will be made then.
"This is tentative," says Jayson Johnston, a producer and committee member. "If the investors are here, it makes more sense to be closer to Park River."
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John Langerud, a cattle producer and committee member, says the final decision "should be made on facts. It's not fair to pit individuals or towns against each other."
