The US$280 million site - which will include a plant, feed mill and hatchery - has received a permit for its establishment even as more than a dozen people expressed concerns that the project could adversely impact air quality of a nearby community. However, the Department of Environmental Quality concluded that the facility will not be of a "significant impact" on air quality beyond the property after studying pollutants that may be emitted as a result of site operations.

 

According to a document issued by the department, a permit is required for the project as it could exceed certain emissions thresholds. Upon full operation of the facility, the document states that the greater Omaha area could still fulfill standards for national ambient air quality for the six common air pollutants. 

 

The facility is expected to start operations in spring 2019 and will employ about 800 people. It will slaughter and process more than two million chickens weekly.

 

Walt Shafer, project manager of plant operator Lincoln Premium Poultry, said that the project is on schedule and the first building to "go vertical" will be the feed mill.

 

Project leaders of the facility are charged with overseeing construction, hiring plant managers, managing operations and helping area farmers to build chicken farms.