State continues efforts to privatize Mat-Su slaughterhouse

The state is continuing its mission to privatize Palmer’s Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage plant.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Board of Agriculture and Conservation issued requests for proposals Friday to lease or purchase the plant.

“The minimum price for purchase is $700,000,” Amanda Swanson, the loan officer for the state’s Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund, which currently supports the plant, said. “We left it pretty much open for proposed lease terms.”

“And preference will be given to bidders who plan to continue to operate it as a meat plant and processing facility,” Swanson said.

Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage is the only U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved slaughterhouse in Southcentral Alaska.

The state has operated the plant since 1986.

Past efforts to privatize the plant were unsuccessful.

A number of ranchers, primarily in the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys, are concerned that if the plant closes, the area’s fledgling livestock industry will collapse.

Proposals are due no later than Monday, November 28th.