FREDERICKSBURG >> In another era, instead of being named after founder Frederick Stump, Fredericksburg might have been called Sechlerville, because that is how influential Scott Sechler has been to the small town in Bethel Township, Lebanon County.
Since 1984, when he purchased it from the late state Sen. Charles Manbeck, the Bell & Evans chicken plant in the village has been his. Forty years ago the plant employed about 100 laborers. Today that number is over 1,300, making it the fourth-largest employer in Lebanon County.
Bell & Evans is poised to become the county's top employer in just a few years. The company has an expansion under way that includes a nearly completed processing plant, and a hatchery and slaughterhouse that are in the design phase. When all are completed and in full operation, Sechler estimates the company will employ 3,000.
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