Dexter Mayor Jason Banken opened Monday’s Dexter Board of Aldermen meeting, discussing what he called the “elephant in the room.”
“Today the Tyson announcement devastated us all,” said Banken. “We have a lot of unknowns coming up. We are working on them. We are dealing with them. We are trying to get those people relocated to jobs somewhere else in the future. That is not immediate. We want everyone to know publicly also we are working on that, seeing what our future is and seeing what we can do for those employees.”
Dexter Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alisha Trammell also spoke about the closure.
“I am saddened by Tyson’s decision to shut down the plant,” said Trammell. “I am heartbroken for those employees directly and indirectly affected by this.”
She said numerous people from throughout the region have contacted her to extend their support to the city.
Trammell said she received an email from a community representative in Kansas whose community went through the same situation.
“He and I will brainstorm on ways we can get through this,” said Trammell. “I personally will remain positive that we will overcome this.”
Trammell said more details will come out on how exactly and strategically the city will handle this situation.
Dexter City Administrator Dave Wyman then addressed the Tyson closing.
“Obviously terrible news this morning,” said Wyman. “As I enter my seventh month on this job, probably as you (Mayor Banken) mentioned, we couldn’t have had a worse phone call.”
Wyman said there are 683 jobs at the Tyson plant. He also said there are a number of growers, farmers that bring grain to them and truckers that move the product. Wyman said Banken did some quick calculations on the payroll. It came to around $40 million dollars annually just for payroll for people at the plant.
“The impact to our economy will be felt immediately and for a long period of time,” said Wyman. “We can’t deny that. We have to adjust for it. It’s something we are going to have to plan on how to fill that void.”
Wyman said the city has contacted the offices of Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, U.S. Representative Jason Smith and Senator Josh Hawley. He said the City of Dexter was the subject of their discussion on Monday, but they had no immediate answer.
Wyman said the city has received phone calls from Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff, Portageville, Sikeston, Jackson and Perryville. He said all said they heard the news, they were sorry and offered to help in any way they could.
Wyman said he had no answers except the city would work hard to fill the void. He said a lot of offers came in from other companies saying there were some job openings. He said the ideal situation would be to keep those jobs in Dexter, and that is what they will try to do.
Economic Development
A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday at Brooster’s Butts, Bones and Pies. The ribbon cutting will be held at noon. Tramell said this is National Farmers Market Week. She said gift baskets will be given away at this week’s Farmers Market. Trammell said you must attend this week’s Farmers Market to sign up for the gift basket drawing.
Trammell said Nestle Purina is moving into the 200,000-square-foot building vacated by Faurcia last fall. She said this will serve as a warehouse. Trammell said 20 to 30 trucks will leave this building daily.