The closure of the HyLife Windom plant in Windom, Minnesota has raised concerns about the future of the facility and the nearly 1,000 workers employed there. In response to this situation, the state Department of Agriculture called a meeting on April 24 with various local figures, including city and state officials, to discuss potential solutions.
The primary objective of the meeting was to find a buyer for the facility in order to prevent the plant from closing and to support the local workforce. The State officials recognized the significance of the plant to the small community of Windom, which has a population of fewer than 5,000 people. They emphasized the importance of housing and infrastructure as key needs for attracting a buyer and ensuring the success and security of the community.
Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, who led the meeting, expressed a more positive outlook about the future of the plant after the discussions. He highlighted the plant's capacity to process over 5,000 pigs per day and its role in serving the Asian market. Petersen stressed the importance of small-to-medium plants for fostering competition in the industry.
The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from the city of Windom, state senator Bill Weber, state representative Marj Fogelman, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. Following the meeting, Windom Mayor Dominic Jones spoke with a HyLife representative, who confirmed that the company is actively seeking a buyer.
Commissioner Petersen emphasized the state's commitment to supporting both the Windom community and HyLife. He acknowledged the economic impact of the plant's closure on the rural area and expressed the state's desire to drive the local economy. Additionally, he mentioned that HyLife's U.S. subsidiaries, including the Windom plant, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 27, indicating the financial challenges faced by the company.
The state officials are hopeful that their efforts and support will yield positive results within the next week or so. They are focused on finding a buyer for the plant to ensure the continuation of operations and the preservation of jobs in Windom.