One of Vermilion County’s largest employers is closing down and laying off its workforce. Production has ceased at the Quaker Oats plant in Danville, leaving approximately 510 employees without work.
Chicago-based Quaker Oats, a unit of Pepsico since 2001, opened the plant in 1969. In recent years, the Danville plant manufactured Quaker Oats granola bars, but it had also made cereal and pancake mix.
In a statement, Quaker Oats said that after a granola bar recall in December, they decided that it was best to consolidate manufacturing of the product in a newer facility.
“We do not make this decision lightly and recognize the impact it will have on our employees, their families, and the Danville community,” the company statement continued. “We have notified our workforce and are working closely with our employees and local community officials to provide a supportive transition.
Danville Area Community College president Stephen Nacco says the college will be a part of efforts to help the workers at the Quaker Oats plant find new jobs.
“This one surprised the whole community,” Nacco said. “And it’s (a) tough loss, but there are people here who are skilled workers. And by gum, we’re going to get ‘em jobs.”
Nacco signed on to a statement issued Wednesday, pledging to help laid-off workers. He was joined by Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Junior, CEO/President Mike Marron with the business group Vermilion Advantage and Chuck Jones, the director of the workforce development agency Vermilion County Works.
According to the statement from city leaders, employees at the Quaker Oats Danville plant will continue to be paid through June 8.
“We are currently updating a list of local job opportunities and discussing training opportunities that will help them transition into other roles in the community,” the statement read. “Most other businesses in town need additional skilled workers, and Quaker employees are known for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Our hope is to connect great workers to great employment opportunities. Together, we will weather this storm.”
Marron said it will be a challenge to find jobs locally for all of the workers that Quaker Oats is laying off. But he says Vermilion Advantage is committed to helping to place laid-off workers with new employers, and even assisting some in opening small businesses.
“We want to be here for the displaced workers, the employees,” said Marron. “Those are good contributing members of the community, and we want to keep those people here.”
Vermilion County Works director Chuck Jones says his agency will be scheduling meetings to connect Quaker Oats employees with representatives from Danville Area Community College, state and local government agencies, and unions, so they can find out their rights and benefits as displaced workers. And he says his own agency will have information on opportunities for job retraining in other fields.
”We’ll be able to secure funding for individuals to participate in those training programs,” said Jones. “So, individuals who are impacted will be able to meet with our staff; they can get career counseling, get some career guidance, we can offer assistance with interview skills, resume writing and things like that. So that people can be prepared to reenter the workforce.”
