A meat processing plant is expected to open in Keokuk County this month. The new business, Responsible Transportation, will process horse meat into animal feed.

The former West Liberty Foods building has been renovated to fit the needs of the operation. The plant will start off with 15 employees.

Chair of the Keokuk County Board of Supervisors, Michael Berg, says the uproar over the plant is puzzling, in reference to a lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for allowing horse slaughtering facilities to operate in the U.S. He notes it’s a humane process and fills a need in the community.