Monsanto's controversial plan to build a greenhouse in Marana enters a new stage today.
Pima County will be holding the first of five public meetings before the project is approved.
With so much opposition, the county decided to hold more hearings before officially approving Monsanto's move.
The first meeting is scheduled for this evening at Oro Valley Public Library at 5 p.m.
The goal of the meeting is to respond to the public's concerns.
Monsanto is planning a greenhouse lab in the Marana area at Twin Peaks and Sanders.
The project has received a lot of criticism.
Those against it say genetically modified food is dangerous and so are Monsanto's chemicals.
The county says it has no control over whether the greenhouse can be built, but is being asked to recommend that a federal board in Washington D.C. approve a foreign trade zone in Pima County that would help Monsanto save thousands of dollars in property taxes.
The lab will create about 50 jobs.
After the five meetings, the county will make a decision about the project February 21, 2017.
Meetings Schedule:
- District 1: 5 p.m., Jan. 9, Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive.
- District 2: 6 p.m., Jan. 19; Quincie Douglas Center, 1575 E. 36th St.
- District 3: 5 p.m., Jan. 17; Ellie Towne Community Center, 1660 W. Ruthrauff Road.
- District 4: 11 a.m., Jan. 13; Green Valley Recreation Center, Las Companas Room, 565 W. Belltower Drive.
- District 5: 6 p.m., Jan. 18; Pima County Housing Center, 801 W. Congress St.
