Auburn, Ill. processor looking to expand into new facility

Having outgrown its present 4,000-square-foot facility in Auburn, Ill. Magro’s Processing Inc. is looking to move into a new, 10,000-square-foot facility. The $1.5 million plant would let the company expand both its processing space and its retail capacity.

The new building would be located on 3.85-acre property on the west side of Illinois 4 between Auburn and Trojan roads, reports the State Journal-Register.

“We’ve outgrown this facility, and we want to be out on the highway to increase our visibility,” said owner Tony Magro.

The business slaughters and processes mainly cows and hogs, servicing about 350 farms, he said. The store also sells frozen cuts of meat. At the new store, Magro hopes to offer a fresh meat and deli counter as well.

The business is seeking approval from the Auburn City Council to continue its slaughtering operations at the new facility. The land already is zoned for industrial uses, including food processing, but Magro wants the special permitted uses for the property expanded to specifically include the slaughtering of animals, according to a petition filed with the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

The zoning board gave its unanimous stamp of approval to the proposal Wednesday night, and the issue is expected to go before the city council Monday for a final vote.

While some area residents have voiced concerns about the possible negative effect on property values, Magro adds that other residents have been more supportive of the project.

“We believe that we can be an asset to the community,” Magro said, noting that the business collected signatures from about 530 people in support of its plan.

Mayor Barb Stamer said she’s confident the city council will approve the request.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for the town,” she said.

Source: State Journal-Register

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