After the announcement that Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation will be closing its Luverne poultry processing plant, and laying off 200 employees, Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne) issued the following statement:

“The closing of the Pilgim’s Pride poultry plant in Luverne leads to uncertainty for hundreds of affected individuals and families. I have conversations with Mayor Pat Baustian, and together with other local and state officials, we will do everything we can to work with individuals to provide financial assistance, training opportunities, and other support to those impacted by these layoffs,” said Senator Weber.

“This is a tremendous loss for the Luverne community and all of southwestern Minnesota, which has long been a leader in agricultural production,” Senator Weber continued. “As the former mayor of Luverne, I know Pilgrim’s Pride, and Gold’n Plump before that, has been a vital part of our community since its transition to a poultry facility in 1998. The plant’s closure is extremely disappointing for our entire community.”

According to the company, they will also offer job placement assistance, including relocation assistance to its sister company, JBS Swift, in Worthington.

“My office is ready, willing, and able to do whatever we can in assisting members of our communities who may be affected by this layoff,” Senator Weber continued. “Please get in touch by calling or e-mailing my office to discuss what assistance may be available for affected individuals.”

Senator Bill Weber is in his second term representing Senate District 22, which includes communities in Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock counties. He serves as chair of the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee.