TopFeatured.com

PERRY, Iowa — When Tyson Foods announced it would close the plant in Perry local leaders jumped into action. First there were two job fairs. The urgent need in town is to retain the workers, to keep them in town or working close to home.

“The sense of urgency for us was in making sure that the workforce is taken care of first” said  Rachel Wacker, of the Dallas County Development Corporation. “Sixty percent of the workforce at the Tysons in Perry are Perry residents and 300 kiddos are related to those Tyson employees.”

The community has already planned to do what it takes to train the workers in whatever new venture comes.

“It fits DMACC’s mission. We partner in our communities and try and up skill folks to find their next path, provide training and education so this really hits the spot and we’re trying to fit that role,” Eddie Diaz with the DMACC Career Center said.

Businesses in the Perry area are also pulling together with the plant closing down, and possibly residents moving away.

“The news about Tysons was concerning, but it’s also looked at as an opportunity. Every situation we have grown and learn from that situation,” said Emily Leslie of Backwards Boutique. “When we heard the news about the Tyson plant we all started growing together as businesses, in regards to how can we support the community.”  

Semhoro Bizamza worked at Tysons and lives in Perry. A native of the Congo in Africa he’s weighing offers to take a job at Tyson’s Storm Lake or Waterloo plants.

“We have a good friends, we work together,” said Bizamza. “I’ve worked here for 10 years and I have so many friends, good people, especially the managers, you know they know how to take care of people.”