KS:Sedgwick County officials woo Tyson on plant proposal

Efforts to convince Tyson Foods Inc. to build a proposed $320 million chicken complex in Sedgwick County, Kan., include a letter signed by all five county commissioners, according to a published report. The letter said the panel is “ready to collaborate with (Tyson) regarding this venture and leverage many of our important partnerships." The letter touted the county’s “land mass, transportation system and agricultural framework to support the Tyson facilities,” the report said. Also signed by the county manager and assistant Wichita city manager, the letter reportedly was sent about one month before this weekend’s meeting at which about 75 community members gathered to discuss their concerns about the project. The newspaper report noted that some of the commissioners do not believe the letter commits them to vote to approve the project, which possibly would be located outside of city boundaries and would give county officials the final word.