By Jacque Day
Wickliffe, KY – A northern Mississippi River fishery that processes Asian carp is looking at Wickliffe as a possible expansion location. Shafer Fisheries in Thompson, Illinois, produces carp products for export to foreign countries and organic farm fertilizer. Ballard County economic development director Larry Kelley says a big incentive for partnering with Shafer's operation is that they generate very little waste.
"Number one, you're not paying somebody to come get the waste. You're actually turning it into a source of revenue. And you're protecting your local sewer system and you're keeping it out of your local landfills. It's a win-win green solution to the problem."
Shafer Fisheries is looking at a 36,000 square-foot existing facility in Wickliffe. Owner Mike Shafer says they're looking at western Kentucky because of the availability of fish and the workforce. But it's not a done deal. His company needs $1 to $2-million-dollars to commit to the Wickliffe expansion.