Triumph delaying construction of new plant in East Moline

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By Dustin Lemmon | Wednesday, October 15, 2008 9:18 AM CDT | () comments

Jane Heydeman and her husband Lenny of Silvis, voice their concerns over the Silvis city council approving an enterprise zone for the Triumph Foods pork processing plant in East Moline in this file photo. The proposed factory had been controversial in East Moline and surrounding communities since it was first proposed. Several neighbors of the 116-acre site along Barstow Road had spoke out against the plant, complaining of the smell, environmental impact and traffic. (John Schultz/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

Triumph Foods announced today that it will delay construction of its new pork processing plant in East Moline indefinitely because of the downturn in the economy.

A news release was issued this morning saying construction was supposed to start in January but will now start at a later, undetermined date.

“As a company we are obviously disappointed in the delay of the project resulting from the current economic conditions impacting the country,” Triumph's CEO Rick Hoffman said in the release. “We are still committed to the East Moline community and are optimistic the project will proceed in the future.”

The proposed factory has been controversial in East Moline and surrounding communities since it was first proposed. Several neighbors of the 116-acre site along Barstow Road spoke out against the plant, complaining of the smell, environmental impact and traffic.

The new pork processing facility, worth an estimated $135 million, was to provide 1,000 jobs paying an estimated $11.75 an hour on average, according to company officials.

East Moline approved transferring the land to Triumph early last year. Triumph is based in St. Joseph, Mo.

Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.