Perdue Plant Losses

By: Mike Tolbert

Updated: Fri 6:58 PM, Apr 16, 2004

The University of Florida is estimating five counties will lose a total of $118 million a year.

When Perdue closed the chicken processing plant, they laid off almost 400 workers. But researchers say the job-loss figure actually is more than 1000 because of the ripple effect on other businesses. That translates into a decrease of $36 million in annual payrolls.

Holmes and Walton Counties are the hardest hit. That’s where most of the former Perdue workers live.

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