Gold’n Plump glass is
still three-quarters full
There are a lot of long, sad faces in town over the layoffs at Gold’n Plump. … And, they’re probably warranted, especially among those whose jobs are being eliminated.
I’m afraid the news took community morale down a few notches, especially timed so soon after the closure of Jubilee Foods and Cook’s clothing.
In addition to those vacant buildings, we have other significant holes in town, including the beautiful Tri-State insurance office building, some industrial park locations and several Main Street storefronts.
Combine that with declining rural population and a dismal state budget, and we’ve got all the makings of a perfect pity party.
I tend to be an optimist of sorts, but I would encourage everyone to keep the Gold’n Plump news in perspective.
For one thing, the majority of laid off workers live in Worthington. It’s not as if our local housing market will take a major hit, or that our local economy will miss those paychecks.
Until recently, these Worthington employees commuted to and from Gold’n Plump via bus. They weren’t stopping for gas or groceries in Luverne, and it’s likely this town hasn’t seen one penny of their paychecks.
With that in mind, the layoffs represent more psychological damage to the town than an economic hit.
The main thing to keep in perspective is Gold’n Plump is still here. There are 140 jobs leaving, but 130 are staying. It’s still one of Luverne’s major employers.
Four and half years ago, we were looking at an empty IBP plant in need of renovations generating no property taxes for local coffers.
Gold’n Plump came in and spent $2 million to remodel the plant and now pays more than $20,600 annually in property taxes.
That hasn’t changed.
From 1999 to 2002 Gold’n Plump contributed more than $87,000 in charitable donations to local causes. In addition it donated $17,420 worth of chicken to various organizations and events, and another $16,500 in corporate and employee red arrow contributions.
That amount doesn’t include volunteer hours generously contributed by Gold’n Plump executives and employees.
In addition, the business circulates an estimated $1.6 million through the local economy by doing business with local merchants. That doesn’t include money spent by corporate executives staying at local hotels and eating in local restaurants.
This won’t change either.
CEO Mike Helgeson made it clear last week that Gold’n Plump is committed to staying in Luverne.
Coming from a lot of meat packing executives (especially the ones we used to deal with in Luverne), promises to rural communities don’t mean much.
But I’ve always felt Gold’n Plump is different.
The organization prides itself on the integrity of its company and its employees. In the four years I’ve known them, I’ve been continually impressed by its standards of ethics and generosity.
If you ask the employees, they’ll say the same thing. Gold’n Plump is simply a great asset to have in the community — with or without the 140 deboning jobs.
