A grant from the US Department of Labor will assist more than 320 workers affected by the closure of Cargill Meat Solution's Plainview, Texas, meat plant, the agency announced June 20.
A National Emergency Grant of $2,066,314 was awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, which helps dislocated workers receive re-employment services. CMS, a subsidiary of Cargill, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the state of Texas on Jan. 17, indicating the plant would close immediately and displace 2,211 workers. The company also provided workers with a notice of the closure.
Cargill announced plans to idle the Plainview facility in January because of tight cattle supplies. Cattle that were previously destined for processing at the Plainview facility were redirected to Cargill's remaining beef processing plants in the region.
The agency said $1,112,899 of the $2,066,314 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.
"The Labor Department's funding will allow former Cargill workers to receive critical services and training that helps them obtain jobs in other growth industries in the area," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth Harris. "Skills are the leading edge of economic development for communities across the country, and this grant reflects our commitment to workforce investment."
