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As the closure of Tyson Foods’ Bridgeport, AL poultry plant looms, rural town residents are bracing for the economic shock of losing nearly 500 jobs. The plant closure comes at a time of increasing economic development in other parts of the country, as manufacturing booms and unemployment rates significantly decrease. Residents in the small town fear that their local economy will struggle without the consistent employment that the Tyson plant provided for three decades.
As news of the closure spreads, members of the surrounding community are voicing their fears of the changes in store for them. Local businesses may suffer, as fewer people will have incomes to buy their wares. Property values may take a hit if fewer people decide to stay in the area. Schools may face a decrease in tax revenue generated by the employees and their families who will no longer be living in the area.
The closure of the plant won’t just affect the local economy; it could also leave hundreds of people without work. Local advocacy organizations are already planning to help the displaced workers find new jobs, though this will be easier for workers who live in bigger cities. For rural workers who lack education and transportation, the outlook is bleaker.
The closure of the Tyson plant is yet another reminder of the challenges and uncertainties that rural America is answering. While the nation as a whole may be poised for economic growth, the same cannot be said for every corner of the country. Rural towns like Bridgeport must look for ways to buffer the potential economic fallout ahead and ensure that their residents have the resources they need to survive and thrive.