Thousands Lose Jobs in Cargill Plant Closure
By: Nick Ochsner
Updated: January 18, 2013
Years of rumors that the Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Plainview could shut down because of a historic drought across the western United States came to fruition Thursday morning.
The company announced the plant's closure effective February 1st.
More than 2,000 people work at the plant, making it the city's largest employer. Now economic development officials and plant workers are trying to figure out places for 2,000 people to work.
"Some people can go work at the Wal-Mart distribution center, if they're hiring, others can transfer but there's only so much room for people," Georgia Wall said from her kitchen Thursday.
Georgia started work at the plan in March of 1983 and planned to retire this may. Her husband, Jerry, just retired from the plan in November after 41 years of work there.
"Over 2100 people out of a job," Georgia said. "My heart goes out to them because, unlike me--I can retire in May--a lot of young people out there, people with families, husbands and wives, my heart goes out to them. What are they gonna do?"
The Walls say they started hearing rumors the plant could shut down as far back as 2011 as a record drought started to take its toll on rachers and cattle herds across the American west.
Cargill spokesman Mike Martin said Thursday the Plainview plant was shutting down because there simply aren't enough cows to keep up production.
"The cattle supply is the lowest its been since 1952," Martin said.
The plant will idol its operations starting February 1st. All employees at the plant will be paid through the next two months.
The company announced the plant's closure effective February 1st.
More than 2,000 people work at the plant, making it the city's largest employer. Now economic development officials and plant workers are trying to figure out places for 2,000 people to work.
"Some people can go work at the Wal-Mart distribution center, if they're hiring, others can transfer but there's only so much room for people," Georgia Wall said from her kitchen Thursday.
Georgia started work at the plan in March of 1983 and planned to retire this may. Her husband, Jerry, just retired from the plan in November after 41 years of work there.
"Over 2100 people out of a job," Georgia said. "My heart goes out to them because, unlike me--I can retire in May--a lot of young people out there, people with families, husbands and wives, my heart goes out to them. What are they gonna do?"
The Walls say they started hearing rumors the plant could shut down as far back as 2011 as a record drought started to take its toll on rachers and cattle herds across the American west.
Cargill spokesman Mike Martin said Thursday the Plainview plant was shutting down because there simply aren't enough cows to keep up production.
"The cattle supply is the lowest its been since 1952," Martin said.
The plant will idol its operations starting February 1st. All employees at the plant will be paid through the next two months.
