The expansion of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Indiana has been controversial. The purpose of this research was to learn more about the issues and the impact of CAFOs on local communities. It was found that CAFOs in the survey are mainly operated by younger more well‐educated managers than what we broadly see in agriculture. Also, placement of a CAFO will provide rural jobs, including part‐time, flexible hours work. Rural managerial opportunity for beginning farmers and opportunity for local sale of feed grain products. Finally, impacts of a CAFO on the community economy will be unevenly dispersed as only a few individuals & businesses will realize direct impacts. However, indirect impacts will be realized such as through the net change in economic activity and through the impact on public costs and receipts.