WORTHINGTON — Gov. Tim Walz, along with U.S. Reps. Collin Peterson, Jim Hagedorn and Steve King, visited Worthington Wednesday afternoon to discuss steps needed before JBS Worthington can resume normal operations.
A Tuesday executive order issued by President Donald Trump requires meat processing plants to reopen for business, citing a need to protect the nation's food supply under the Defense Production Act.
The primary consideration in reopening the plant is ensuring the safety of workers, Peterson repeatedly stated, adding that the federal government will not force the facility to reopen until a social distancing plan is established and workers feel safe to return.
Outside the meeting, which was hosted in the Prairie Holdings hangar of the Worthington Municipal Airport, a congregation of concerned citizens assembled in their cars, repeatedly honking their horns to let the lawmakers know that they are displeased with President Trump's order to reopen JBS. Many displayed signs in their car windows.
JBS Worthington is one of three processing plants identified by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as essential to maintaining the U.S. food supply, Peterson noted.
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Watch for an update of this story later today at dglobe.com.
