FROM STATE SENATOR PAUL BAILEY

The closure of the Perdue Farms plant in Monterey is a significant loss for ​#​TNSen15, directly affecting 433 employees and their families. This plant has been a cornerstone of Monterey and Putnam County’s economy, and its closure presents serious challenges.

I am working closely with local, state, and federal governments, as well as community stakeholders, to address this situation. Efforts include exploring options to keep the plant operational while preparing resources to support employees in their transition. Initiatives involve organizing job fairs, providing job placement services, and offering workforce training programs to help employees reenter the workforce successfully.

Perdue Farms is offering support to affected employees, including severance packages, extended WARN protections for up to ten weeks, additional severance pay, and job placement assistance—steps that will help ease the burden during this time.

Additionally, we are collaborating with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to ensure employees have access to information and personalized support as they navigate these challenges.

If your business can provide job opportunities, I encourage you to post openings on the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce website: https://business.cookevillechamber.com/jobs.

I will continue to share updates as the situation develops. To everyone affected, please know that we stand with you and will do everything possible to assist.