GAI News staff

Due to legislative budget cuts, funding is due to dry up this year for the Mt. McKinley Meat and Sausage (MMM&S) Plant in Palmer, Alaska. In light of this, the U.S. Board of Agriculture and Conservation (BAC) is looking to privatize the operation, and has announced it will accept proposals to lease and operate the state-funded operation with an option to buy, reports Capital Press.

Built in 1980, and state-run since 1986, MMM&S is the only slaughterhouse in south-central Alaska approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is currently an asset of the Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund after a default, according to Global Meat News.

The BAC intends to sell the operation, which includes meat processing equipment worth $77 million, into private holding with the caveat that it remain an operating slaughterhouse, reports Alaska Public Media. The state had previously attempted to sell the business in 2000, 2002, and 2006, however, there were no acceptable proposals submitted.

The window for submitting proposals will remain open until 4 pm on July 11, 2016.