Kansas Makes Its Pitch to Tyson

Kansas officials still hope to lure Tyson Foods to build its new $320 million poultry facility in the Sunflower State.

Agriculture Secretary Jackie McClasky told KCUR-FM public radio 15 to 20 other Kansas communities have now expresses interest in the plant after Leavenworth County commissioners rescinded their offer of $500 million in revenue bods for Tyson earlier this week. She says she is confident Kansas can still partner with Tyson.

“They have not backed out of their commitment that they want to do business in Kansas. They want to expand in Kansas,” she said. “I feel like right now they’re giving us a shot.”

Interim Commerce Secretary Nick Jordan told KCUR they’re making a sales pitch to keep Tyson looking at Kansas.

“To let them know the state wants them to be here,” Jordan said. “We’ve got plenty of other communities that fit their needs very, very well. We want to get off and running again working with them to find a spot that does fit for them.”

Kansas officials are concerned if their Tyson deal fails, other agriculture companies would be reluctant to consider Kansas as a place to invest.

One option for the new plant may be Sedgwick County, where Wichita is the county seat. County commissioner Michael O’Donnell issued a tweet asking Tyson to consider the Wichita area.