The company that wants to build a $450 million beef harvesting plant in Warren County made its case in a four-hour appeal hearing Tuesday night, while nearby residents grasped at any possibility that they could block or alter the project.

American Foods Group, a company based in Wisconsin, is seeking to open the 500,000-square-foot slaughterhouse facility along Veterans Memorial Parkway, just west of the Foristell city limits. A permit for the facility was approved in April, but a group of nearby homeowners is appealing that decision to the Warren County Commission.

In a Tuesday night hearing before the county commission, dozens of community members shared their opinions on the project. Those testifying could largely be separated into two groups: area residents with concerns, and regional business and government officials who are strongly in favor of the project. Those speaking in support of AFG were nearly double in number compared to opponents.

The arguments for and against the project demonstrate the ethical struggle that local governments have to navigate when it comes to new growth and development. Those in favor of the project spoke of new, quality job opportunities and an infusion of taxes to support public services. Those opposed worry about the ways an industrial slaughterhouse could disturb their calm, rural area, with particular focus on bothersome traffic and environmental worries.

County commissioners now have to weigh potential economic benefits for the entire area against the concerns of the residents who would be most affected. Traditionally, when concerns have been expressed about past economic developments, the county’s approach has been mitigate potential nuisances while allowing a project to move forward.

AFG’s representatives, for their part, came well prepared to answer almost any question or criticism. An engineer explained a network of new street developments planned around the beef plant, designed to minimize traffic impacts. A company executive, meanwhile, explained the engineering and advanced technology that would go into preventing odor or environmental disturbances.

Commissioners will announce their decision on the AFG beef plant permit on June 8.

For a fuller exploration of the benefits and worries associated with the AFG beef plant, along with more information from the company itself, read the June 2 print issue of the Warren County Record.