Two Iowa legislators voice their thoughts on the ways they’re assisting after Tyson Foods announcement to close their pork plant in Perry. 

Earlier this week on Monday, Tyson Foods made the decision to shut down its plant in the Perry area, which employs approximately 1,300 workers. Iowa Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott tells Raccoon Valley Radio that within the 1,300 workers, about 730 of them reside in the City of Perry. She emphasizes she’s had conversations with her colleagues and the governor to take emergency action in order to help Perry out. In addition, she wants to hold Tyson accountable because of the support the community has shown them.

“We have provided Tyson a lot of support. Our state, our county has invested tax dollars in this company and the people of Perry have worked very hard for this company, and so Tyson should be paying community severance.”

Trone-Garriott recalls that Tyson offered workers to transfer to another plant within the state, but she says the nearest one is 109 miles away in Storm Lake. Iowa Representative Carter Nordman states that he’s been in contact with Iowa Economic Development, the governor’s office, and Iowa Workforce Development in order to get as many resources to Perry as possible. Although Nordman is disappointed with the closure of Tyson’s plant in Perry, he is asking for the Workforce Development’s help.

“I have asked the Workforce Development to send their mobile workforce unit to be deployed to Perry, to again make sure that the people who are affected by this. And it’s not just the people who work there, it’s their families too are getting the assistance they need in the most timely and effective manner possible.”

Senator Trone-Garriott illustrates that this situation will require ongoing conversations with legislators.