The Perry Chamber is gearing up to host a second job fair next month as more concrete details emerge, in an effort to help Tyson employees once the plant in Perry shuts down.

The announcement of Tyson Foods in March about closing its plant in Perry by the end of June prompted Perry City officials, along with the Chamber and the Iowa Workforce Development to help the affected employees and their families. An initial job fair was held at Hotel Pattee on April 3rd, which Perry Chamber Director Lynsi Pasutti says was well attended. She outlines that Tyson employees are being persuaded to be patient during the transition.

“Employees are currently being encouraged to stay on through the end of production, weigh their options, find the right fit for them and their family, and just trying to be that resource and connector for the community.”

Pasutti claims that the next job fair is happening on May 16th at the National Guard Armory, allowing more businesses to attend. She emphasizes that Iowa Workforce Development will be more involved in the planning process, as they offered more support in the first job fair. According to Pasutti, the chamber is still discussing possible times but reveals that it will be a longer timeframe than the first job fair.