Despite the recent announcement of Tyson ending its local operations by early next year, Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking says people need to keep in mind “there is opportunity in Emporia.”
Cocking updated area residents on the city’s response during KVOE’s 8:05 am newscast Tuesday, following the company’s decision to wind down its lab operations on Funston Street later this month and its plant operations at 2101 West Sixth on or about Valentine’s Day.
Over 800 workers, as well as family members, are considering their options. Roughly a quarter will go to the Holcomb plant, while the rest will have opportunities to move to other Tyson plants across the country. Cocking says this is an opportunity for local companies to bolster their workforces and for companies not currently here to consider moving and utilizing the existing workforce — but competition is already brewing to have the affected employees move to other cities.
While the city works with other entities at the local and state levels to keep as many workers and family members here as possible, it’s also gauging the possible impact Tyson’s departure will have on city revenues. Cocking says the property tax impact is to be determined.
Cocking says Tyson pays over $300,000 in total property taxes per year, with the money split between the city, Lyon County, USD 253 Emporia Public Schools and the state of Kansas. This year’s property taxes will be due Dec. 20, while next year’s tax burden will be based on numbers calculated on Jan. 1 valuations.
For water revenues, Tyson generates about $250,000 per year — one of Emporia’s top-five water consumers, but also a less-than-3-precent hit to the city’s $9 million revenue stream. It’s yet to be determined whether the Tyson closure will have any impact on the city’s decision to possibly increase all utility rates by 10 to 15 percent. City commissioners have an action meeting item to take that step Wednesday.
Cocking also says Tyson officials told him and other city leaders there was nothing the city could have done to avert the company’s decision to expand and “optimize” operations at its Holcomb plant — at the expense of the jobs and operations in Emporia.
In light of Monday’s announcement, US Senator Roger Marshal issued a statement Tuesday, saying the news “breaks my heart” and adding it’s “devastating news” for those affected around the holidays. Marshall also says his staff have been in contact with city leaders to help affected residents find good jobs.
Residents impacted by the shutdown can reach out to Marshall’s Topeka office at 785-414-7501 or reach out to the Southeast KansasWorks Emporia office at 215 West Sixth by calling 620-342-3355.
