Turlock’s economy is looking at another hit with the announcement Tuesday that the Hormel Food Corporation will be closing their Turlock facility later this year.
The closure of the plant could send 163 people to the growing ranks of the unemployment lines.
“This is heartbreaking news,” said Turlock city Manager Roy Wasden. “This is devastating to the employees and their families who are losing their livelihoods.”
The Hormel corporation said the closure would happen by Oct. 29 of this year.
“This decision was a difficult one to make because of its impact on our valued employees at this location,” Mike Devine, vice president of Grocery Products Operation stated in a news release. “The manufacture of our Valley Fresh canned products will be moved to another facility, which will provide greater purchasing and distribution efficiencies.”
Hormel stated that the affected employees will receive severance pay and may have the opportunity to work at one of the four other Hormel Foods facilities in California.The Hormel company bought the D Street facility in Turlock in 2006 when it purchased Valley Fresh. The facility produces canned meat products.
Heidi McNally-Dial, the city’s Economic Development director said the city was trying to contact the Hormel Food Corporation “to see if there is anything we can do to change their mind.”
Hormel’s impending closure will have an affect on the country’s overall unemployment rate and that of the city’s, which is already at sobering levels. The unemployment rate for Stanislaus County in March was at 19.2 percent, according to the Economic Development Department. In that same time period, Turlock recorded an unemployment rate of 14.7 percent, according to the EDD.
“This will definitely have an impact on our area,” McNally-Dial said. “It’s another blow to the job situation in Turlock.”
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
The closure of the plant could send 163 people to the growing ranks of the unemployment lines.
“This is heartbreaking news,” said Turlock city Manager Roy Wasden. “This is devastating to the employees and their families who are losing their livelihoods.”
The Hormel corporation said the closure would happen by Oct. 29 of this year.
“This decision was a difficult one to make because of its impact on our valued employees at this location,” Mike Devine, vice president of Grocery Products Operation stated in a news release. “The manufacture of our Valley Fresh canned products will be moved to another facility, which will provide greater purchasing and distribution efficiencies.”
Hormel stated that the affected employees will receive severance pay and may have the opportunity to work at one of the four other Hormel Foods facilities in California.The Hormel company bought the D Street facility in Turlock in 2006 when it purchased Valley Fresh. The facility produces canned meat products.
Heidi McNally-Dial, the city’s Economic Development director said the city was trying to contact the Hormel Food Corporation “to see if there is anything we can do to change their mind.”
Hormel’s impending closure will have an affect on the country’s overall unemployment rate and that of the city’s, which is already at sobering levels. The unemployment rate for Stanislaus County in March was at 19.2 percent, according to the Economic Development Department. In that same time period, Turlock recorded an unemployment rate of 14.7 percent, according to the EDD.
“This will definitely have an impact on our area,” McNally-Dial said. “It’s another blow to the job situation in Turlock.”
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
