Quapaw Nation to cut around 20 jobs at processing plant amid financial issues, bison investigation
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The Quapaw Nation says about 20 jobs will be eliminated at its food processing operation as part of a restructuring aimed at cutting costs and improving financial stability.
The Nation says Quapaw Food Services Authority has never been profitable and has required ongoing financial support.
QFSA will remain open while leaders work to better align staffing and expenses with current business and revenue.
The cuts come as the Nation is also investigating the recent deaths of several bison.
Tribal officials have not said the two developments are connected, but QFSA processes bison and other livestock.
The timing is notable because the processing plant advertised job openings Aug. 27, one day before they publicly announced the bison deaths, which they are still investigating.
Records also show QFSA’s financial problems predated the incident, including a sharp decline in bison processing and rising operating costs.
