Cole, the only Democrat running for Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner, set his sights on incumbent Lester Spell, a Democrat who switched to the Republican Party.
Cole, 41, of Ovett, said he had 55 million reasons why people should support his candidacy - the failed $55 million boondoggle known as Mississippi Beef Processors, which Spell supported vigorously.
"They had the bright idea that Mississippi was going to get rich in the potted meat business," he said.
After three months of operation, the plant folded, and the state didn't even own the plant, Cole said.
Under new management, the beef plant will reopen and will employ 170 people. Cole said each worker at the plant would have to earn more than $366,700 in order for the state to recoup its losses.
Actually I believe that figure is how much it breaks down per job. They'd have to make 10 or 20 times that much to pay back the state in income and sales taxes.
In addition he detailed the failed "Goat Meat" plant that Lester Spell also championed and other projects that wasted taxpayer money and didn't particularly help agriculture in the state.
He said it was important for farmers not to grow crops that depend on subsidies from Washington.
"Our farmers have got to grow crops that will make money. We will never become prosperous depending on federal subsidies," Cole said.
We need to grow and make products in Mississippi that make money and we need an Ag Commissioner who will actively champion our states products.
The Greenwood Commonwealth Article
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