January 1, Ozarks Town Recovers From Tyson Plant Closure, Seeks Tourism-Driven Revival

A rural town in the Ozarks faces an uphill battle following the closure of a Tyson Foods Inc. chicken processing plant, which left nearly a third of its residents unemployed. Noel Mayor Terry Lance told Fox News Digital, “The people around here are resilient,” adding that there’s more energy towards finding a new path for the town than he’s seen in years.

The Missouri town, home to about 2,000 residents, suffered a significant blow when Tyson announced in October last year that it was shutting down the plant, the county’s largest employer. The closure left 1,500 workers, including 650 Noel residents, without jobs.

Lance expressed concern that the loss of population and tax revenue would impact the town’s ability to provide essential services. However, he quickly organized job fairs alongside McDonald County Chamber of Commerce President John Newby, to find work for the unemployed locals.

With the loss of Tyson workers, Noel’s sales tax revenue has dropped nearly 25% this year. Despite the economic challenges, some residents see the closure as an opportunity to rebuild Noel as a tourist destination, focusing on the area’s natural resources and attractions.

Tyson Foods still owns the plant location, and its spokesperson stated, “We are always open to exploring opportunities and are willing to discuss a potential sale with any interested party.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Lance remains optimistic that if the community can capitalize on its natural resources, Noel can foster a self-sustaining economy without relying on big businesses.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

Source