Area agencies make plan to help those affected by Noel Tyson closure

More than 1,500 employees in McDonald County, Missouri, will be without a job this fall when the Tyson Foods poultry processing plant in Noel shuts down.

Area groups and agencies are rushing to make a plan to address regional impacts associated with the closure as nearly a quarter of McDonald County’s total workforce is employed at that plant.

The Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce says the repercussions of such a substantial closure will be felt widely, and they stand ready to extend our support in any way possible.

They have planned a Fall Job Fair, set for October 3 at the Neosho Civic Center to help those in need of employment.

“Informative Lunch & Learns” have been scheduled to enlighten the community about the economic ramifications. Discussions are also underway with State Officials to address the situation comprehensively.

The McDonald County Chamber of Commerce is urging citizens to spend more resources within the County to keep money flowing within its borders. “Those new dollars will go a long way towards keeping our current businesses afloat and helping those in need. If there ever was a time to be local, now is that time.”

Even Crowder College will be working closely with the Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) in Joplin, the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce, Missouri’s Rapid Response team as well as meeting with representatives of the Tyson plant to understand the needs of the employees affected by the plant’s closing in October.

In total, Tyson is closing four chicken processing plants as it looks to lower costs.

The company said Monday that the plants being closed are located in North Little Rock, Arkansas; Corydon, Indiana; Dexter, Missouri and Noel, Missouri.

Tyson laid off 15% of its senior leadership and 10% of its corporate workers in April as it faces steep inflation on labor, grain and other inputs.