A major U.S. food company is shutting down a relatively new Utah facility, eliminating hundreds of jobs and dealing another blow to a community that had counted on the plant as a long-term economic investment. The closure is part of a larger restructuring as the meat industry faces one of its most significant cattle shortages in decades.
723 workers will lose their jobs
Tyson Foods announced Aug. 13 that it will close its case-ready meat facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah. A notice filed with the Utah Department of Workforce Services says 723 employees will be affected by the closure, with the layoffs expected to take effect around October 12.
The facility opened in 2021 following an investment of approximately $300 million. Tyson had promoted the plant as a major economic development project for the area, with projections of hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in annual payroll.
The impending closure has left employees and local officials stunned, particularly because the facility had been operating for only about five years. Some affected workers have said they may need to consider relocating to find comparable employment.
Historic cattle shortage behind closure
Tyson said the decision is part of strategic changes to its beef operations as the company deals with what it described as one of the most historic cattle shortages the country has experienced. The company plans to shift production capacity to other facilities with room to expand.
The Utah closure is one of several changes Tyson announced. The company is also ending operations at its beef facility in Joslin, Illinois, while pursuing the sale of its beef facility in Pasco, Washington. Its beef business will instead be centered around facilities in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas.
Tyson has said it recognizes the impact on employees and communities and plans to help affected workers pursue opportunities at other company facilities.
For Eagle Mountain, the closure represents the loss of hundreds of jobs and a major local employer just five years after the facility opened.
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