The nation's largest meatpacker says it will close a plant and end 370 jobs in southwest Minnesota because it can't find enough cattle to process. IBP will close its Luverne plant March 7. The shutdown occurs as a political debate in Minnesota over large-scale livestock operations heats up.
Supporters say the large facilities are needed to keep the meat-processing industry in the state.
The Nebraska-based company will not try to sell the plant to another company. Luverne Mayor Bill Weber says he's disappointed the plant will not re-open under a new owner. He says the town faces a difficult time. There's concern as to what this means for the community, and there's concern for our friends and families and neighbors who may work out there. We hope that maybe they will be able to find other employment if they so choose in the area and be able to remain here, but only time will tell.