Cargill plant closes for good; last day of work for hundreds in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Friday, August 1st marks the last day of work for hundreds of employees and Milwaukee's Cargill meat-packing plant.

The company announced Wednesday it would be closing the doors of its Menomonee Valley facility.

Workers began receiving layoff notices last week. Area hire centers say they have been rushed with people looking for other jobs.

"This is the largest layoff that we've had in the in this area for quite some time," said Ricardo Ybarra with the Milwaukee Area Business Investment Board's hire center. "A number of individuals have been working for this company for a long time and have not had to access these types of services."

The center is providing services ranging from securing unemployment benefits to securing new employment.

"Our hope is to offer the services that we offer to get folks connected, back into the workforce as quickly as possible, or provide the skills and training or whatever other services that they might need to take advantage of opportunities within the city," said Ybarra.

Cargill is offering their laid off workers 60 days of pay. Ybarra says the Milwaukee Area Business Investment Board is working with the city and state to make sure those out of a job stay on their feet.

"It's a very difficult position to be in, we understand that. But we're here to provide the services that we can and we're here to help you navigate through this," said Ybarra.

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