By Laura Gossman
lgossman@postbulletin.com
ST. CHARLES — St. Charles Mayor Bill Spitzer isn’t the only one hoping North Star Foods rebuilds its plant in St. Charles.
As of Monday afternoon, 740 people across the U.S. had become members of Spitzer’s group called "Rebuild North Star Foods in St. Charles" on Facebook, a popular social-networking Web site.
The North Star Foods plant, one of the city’s largest employers, was destroyed in a fire April 17. The plant, which supplies products for Hormel and ConAgra, employs about 250 people.
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Plant owners Brad Arndt and Patrick Thesing have said they want to rebuild in St. Charles, but they have to consider several factors before making a decision.
Spitzer said the city has come up with five possible sites.
Through Spitzer’s group, people from around the world can show their support for the city of about 3,600 residents.
In the group’s description, Spitzer wrote, "We need the support of the entire community to rebuild this very important community partner. Join me in letting our friends Pat and Brad (the plant owners) know how important their business is to St. Charles."
Spitzer and other group members have posted photos of the site, shared their stories about the fire and voiced their hopes that the plant will rebuild in St. Charles.
