Prairie Farms fluid milk processing plant in Fulton, Kentucky will close by June 30th. General Manager David Atchley notified the Kentucky Division of Workforce and Employment Services Tuesday that the plant closure will result in 52 eliminated positions.
Atchley said employees will be provided severance pay and benefits, which will begin after the closure. Kentucky Career Center Business Services Manager Michelle DeJohn said her department will be sending a rapid response service to the region.
“It’s a team of all the agencies partnering in the career center to tell the impacted workforce about the services that are available to them for their transition,” DeJohn said.
Those include information on unemployment insurance to “all of the services available through the workforce innovation and opportunity act.” DeJohn said help ranging from resume development to interviewing assistance and possible retraining services will be offered.
The company will continue to operate a distribution operation in Fulton, employing 12 people.
There was no explanation for the plant closure. The announcement comes shortly after Dean Foods cancelled contracts with dairy producers across the commonwealth in late February. The company cited low milk prices and overproduction across the industry.
