Tennessee loses another factory and 433 jobs as unemployment crisis accelerates

The bad news keeps piling up in Tennessee.

The downturn in the food industry has destroyed several factories across the state…

And a beloved local Tennessee chain recently declared bankruptcy, too.

Unfortunately, the pain isn’t over yet – because yet another factory in the state is closing down.

This time the victim is Monterey, Tennessee, which has seen 433 jobs evaporate as Perdue Farms closes its poultry processing plant.

This is a town of 2,800 people. Losing that many jobs is untenable for the local economy.

It’s a real shame, but unfortunately the logic is hard to argue with.

The meatpacking industry has been shutting down plants left and right as it confronts a series of painful developments.

There are, of course, the general issues facing any food industry in 2025, including inflation, labor shortages, reduced domestic spending due to economic fears, and confusion and difficulties tied to tariffs and the trade war.

Then there are the specific issues facing the meatpacking industry. Poultry, of course, suffered significantly from avian flu. Americans have been reducing their meat consumption (especially turkey). And the meatpacking industry has had big issues with ICE raids shutting down supply lines.

Put it all together, and it makes sense that Perdue is retreating and closing down plants.

It’s just too hard to do this volume of business, especially when it’s unprofitable.

But that doesn’t change the fact that it still stinks for the impacted workers.

Here’s hoping the local economy in Tennessee improves! We could all use some good news.

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