The Gadsden Times If you think the sale of Gadsden Airport Authority property to Pilgrim’s Pride for an animal parts rendering plant is a can of “worms,” I think there are financial questions regarding the Northeast Alabama Regional Airport that could make that controversy look mild in comparison. The rendering plant controversy should be the catalyst for a renewed request to the State of Alabama for a forensic financial audit of the books of the Gadsden airport, dating back to the $6 million bond issue in 2003. That audit is the subject for a future commentary. Pilgrim’s Pride has offered to buy or lease 88 acres of Gadsden airport property to build the rendering plant. The company has offered the GAA $1.1 million as an outright purchase, or would take out a 30-year lease at $55,000 annually.