The state has approved a wastewater permit that will allow Seaboard Farms to continue plans to build a hog farm in west central Kansas that would house as many as 144,000 hogs.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment approved the permit for Seaboard Foods’ facility in Greeley County.

The department announced the decision in a letter to those who attended a public hearing on the proposal.

Christy Hopkins, community development director for Unified Greeley County, said some county residents oppose the project but she believes it will bring needed economic growth.

In October 2010, Greeley County residents approved a referendum to allow major hog farms in the county. The vote reversed a 12-year ban of hog farms in the county.