Happy Friday,
Poultry processor Allen Harim is facing the tough task of dealing with a small group of opponents to its plans for a deboning plant and headquarters at the former Vlasic pickle plant near Millsboro.
The project would create 163 jobs that would help fill the gap left when 200 jobs were lost with the Vlasic closing more than five years ago.
The group made its views known in a recent demonstration in Georgetown and managed to get some publicity in the process. The fear is another court battle that may have contributed to Allen Harim halting much larger project at the site.
Unfortunately, the most recent campaign comes loaded with misleading statements and assumptions.
The biggest myth involves water quality.
The claim that the deboning site and headquarters will lower water quality is simply wrong.
Allen Harim is committed under an agreement with the state to improving water quality following the contamination left behind by Vlasic.
Indeed, recent well monitoring has shown stabilization and further progress is likely.
Had the plant not been purchased by Allen Harim, taxpayers could havebeen with at least part of the clean-up bill.
Another myth is that Allen Harim’s plans would be bad for the Inland Bays and the Indian River. Again, the facts are not on the side of opponents.
Allen Harim would not send treated wastewater into the Inland Bays. Instead, spray irrigation would be used.
Allen Harim opponents also object to spray irrigation, claiming it would damage water quality, without any evidence. This comes despite foes of an ocean outfall for Rehoboth Beach ’s saying that spray irrigation was a better option.
It is time for the state’s business community to become more vocal in its support of Allen Harim, a key player in the Sussex County economy.
The risk is that letting a small group with a fact-free agenda dominate the proceedings has the potential to do damage to the business climate of Sussex County.
Enjoy your storm free weekend. I plan to rest an elbow that became sore from shoveling. The newsletter returning on Monday. – Doug Rainey, publisher.
