The closing of a Tyson plant in a rural town is likely to have a devastating impact on the local economy. The workers at the plant are likely to face a difficult transition as they are forced to find new employment opportunities in a quickly changing economy. Many of these jobs are now being filled by automation and the skilled labor required in today’s manufacturing industry. Additionally, local vendors and farmers who supply the Tyson plant with goods and services will also feel the pinch as they search for new customers.
In order to combat the impending doom, the local government and businesses will need to rise to the occasion. While the plant may no longer be there, the town should try to use this transitionary period to their advantage in order to create new economic opportunities. These could include encouraging new businesses to move into the area, applying for grants and funding to develop industry specific training for those displaced by the closure, or finding creative ways to diversify the local economy. By taking a proactive approach to the rural town’s economic future, it may be possible to mitigate the economic losses caused by the Tyson plant’s closure.
