Perdue Farms to close Monterey chicken plant, cutting 433 jobs: 'Everybody's in shock'

Perdue Farms to close Monterey chicken plant, cutting 433 jobs: ‘Everybody’s in shock’

Posted by author January 17, 2025 Jobs

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Tom Polansek
| Reuters

U.S. chicken producer Perdue Farms will permanently shut a Monterey, Tennessee, processing plant on March 28, eliminating jobs for 433 employees, the company said on Friday.

It is the latest loss for poultry workers, with Tyson Foods having shuttered six U.S. chicken plants since 2023 after struggling to match production with consumer demand.

For the small town of Monterey and larger Putnam County, the news came as a shock. It’s the largest employer in Monterey.

Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said he is working with city leaders and state workforce development officials to help the employees.

“Everybody’s in shock, there was no warning,” Porter said. “We’re going to be there for them and do everything we can to help them get new jobs.”

Perdue said its closure is part of a modernization of its supply chain and follows a strategic business and financial review.

“Changes in market demand and how the company produces and supplies its products have impacted the Monterey facility in recent years,” the company said.

Porter said Perdue officials promised extended unemployment payments through the federal WARN Act.

The plant has been at its location off I-40 near Cookeville for about 40 years. Perdue officials said it was too costly to renovate, Porter said.

“Our town has been growing with new businesses and people coming here,” he said. “This is the first large (business closure) we’ve had to deal with.”