Local officials and state agencies offered assistance to Farmland Foods if the company wants to rebuild its Albert Lea plant, but help hinges on the results of damage assessments in the next two weeks.

Thursday, July 12, 2001

Local officials and state agencies offered assistance to Farmland Foods if the company wants to rebuild its Albert Lea plant, but help hinges on the results of damage assessments in the next two weeks.

&uot;If a new plant is in order, we’re ready to help,&uot; said Dentley Haugesag of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development. &uot;We still don’t have an accurate picture of damage to the plant and what the company intends to do.&uot;

Charles Phillips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development said Farmland could be eligible for up to $25 million in loan guarantees to help rebuild. The city is also ready to help with land acquisition and financing of a rebuilt facility, said Pam Bishop, executive vice president of Greater Jobs, Inc.

The community meeting Wednesday made it clear that help to Farmland and its employees comes in many different forms, said Rep. Dan Dorman, who organized the meeting.

&uot;I think what we have to offer today is hope,&uot; Dorman said. &uot;This is a very important first step.&uot;

The meeting at City Hall included representatives from U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht’s office who said they are searching for every possible form of federal assistance. Local charities and service organizations such as the United Way and the Salvation Army are mobilizing volunteers to offer food and shelter subsidies and counseling services to employees.

Mike Haney, regional job service manager for the Minnesota Workforce Center, said unemployment assistance will help many Farmland Workers in the short term. But finding temporary or interim jobs until Farmland is up and running again is crucial for most employees in the long term.

&uot;The goal of our community is to keep these workers here,&uot; Dorman said. &uot;Having and keeping an available workforce is out biggest asset.&uot;

Gen Morales, a translator with the Minnesota Department of Economic Security, said most workers she helped with unemployment forms indicated a desire to stay in Albert Lea. But since a majority speak primarily Spanish, a language barrier is a problem for many Farmland workers and their families.

&uot;We have 65 percent of these people out of work that speak Spanish. This is important stuff, and we need to slow down with each Spanish folk and have them understand what the benefit package is and what this means to them,&uot; said Collette Turcotte of Community Action.

City Manager Paul Sparks said the Farmland plant has faced challenges in the past, including two shutdowns and two bankruptcies. He said the plant will pull through the challenge of recovery if the community pulls together.

&uot;We need to let the workers know they’re welcome here. If they leave to find work elsewhere, we need to let them know they’re welcome to come back,&uot; Sparks said.

No Farmland representatives were at the meeting, but officials hope the company will give its first clue to the future of the plant during a closed employee meeting at the high school on Friday.

&uot;We know it’s still pretty early, but we’re looking for some kind of indication,&uot; said Dorman.