The small town of Noel in Missouri has been struggling since Tyson Foods closed its chicken processing plant last year, leaving nearly a third of the population jobless. The closure came as a devastating blow to this rural community, which was once dependent on the 650 local residents employed by Tyson’s factory for their livelihoods.
Mayor Terry Lance expressed his concerns about losing tax revenue from workers who frequented nearby businesses and feared that up to half of small enterprises in McDonald County may have been lost following Tyson Food’s suspension. He described it as a “complete shock” for everyone, comparing the impact on Noel with removing Detroit’s auto industry.
Initially after closure, over 300 residents left town due to job losses that affected Somali and South/Central American migrants who had arrived in Noel through H1B visas. The plant’s two-time former employee Jimi Lasiter told Fox News that the subsequent difficulty finding jobs nearby has forced people out of state entirely or take employment wherever it might be, leaving them with long commutes and low wages.
Theresa Lasiter also struggled to find work after Tyson Foods closed its doors in October 2019, despite trying multiple routes through job fairs that local business owner John Newby organized alongside Mayor Lance. She expressed her concerns about the lack of employment opportunities available locally and how it would be challenging for people living outside Noel to survive on less-than ideal pay with prolonged transportation commutes ahead in perspective as she looked towards work opportunities over half an hour’s distance from where she now lived; furthermore, this situation is not unique.
A Tyson Food spokesperson affirmed the decision had a harsh effect, highlighting its implications for the people of Noel and their community. The town has seen population levels rise again since then but faces more significant challenges regarding local businesses that have closed due to dwindling customer numbers following the departure of plant workers who previously spent money in these establishments.
The city council’s budget cuts, including those for law enforcement services, are also indicative of Noel’s financial predicament as sales tax revenue plummeted by almost 25% this year alone according to Mayor Lance. Despite the economic hardship that has affected many in town, some people still see hopeful opportunities following Tyson’s closure – including business owner Dustin Shurback who believes Noel can rebuild itself into a thriving tourist destination by capitalizing on its unique location near Elk River and scenic bluffs.
Shurback owns three businesses in town, which include the popular Elk River Coffee Shop that was significantly impacted when sales dropped drastically after Tyson Foods closed; he hopes tourism will offer a pathway towards Noel’s future success without relying on jobs from big corporations like Tyson.
The Lasiter sisters remain skeptical about the feasibility of this dream, noting that the only attraction currently available for tourists is camping or riverside activities in an area where there used to be a go-kart track and movie theater when they were kids; thus more businesses need to move into town before tourism can sustainably provide employment opportunities.
The mayor has faith in Noel’s potential if it can take advantage of its natural resources, including the Elk River bluffs that he thinks will allow for self-reliance through various initiatives centered on arts, crafts or music that offer viable career options besides those from large corporations like Tyson Foods.
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