Board backs Rafter Meats' USDA grant pursuit to expand Wilcox packing capacity

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25 voted to approve a letter supporting Rafter Meats/Wilcox Packing House's pursuit of a USDA certification grant to expand its processing capabilities in Wilcox.

Michael Merrill, the owner, told supervisors the project would expand wholesale processing capacity, keep custom processing for ranchers and restaurants, add exterior freezer space and modernize equipment. He said the plan ultimately would process "over 30 a month eventually" once the project is complete and described a three‑year timeline if funding is awarded in January.

County staff and supervisors emphasized the letter is for grant support only and does not substitute for subsequent permitting through the county zoning process; staff said the applicant will still need to complete zoning and change‑of‑use permitting and the USDA certification process if construction proceeds. The board approved the letter 3–0 and offered to sign it before the meeting ended.

Why it matters: Local meat processing capacity has been a shortage for area ranchers; Merrill said expanded local processing would reduce the need to ship cattle to distant feed lots and could support restaurants and grocery wholesale distribution in the region.

What happens next: If the grant is awarded, Merrill said construction would take about three years; staff reminded the public the usual permitting processes and inspections would still apply.