The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, a regional 501(c)3 not-for-profit directing local leadership for state and federal workforce investment programs, will lead the Rapid Response efforts for the recently announced layoff of 90 workers from a Del Monte Foods plant in Markesan, and 339 workers Lakeside Book Company in Menasha. Both facilities announced their closures to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development through the required notice defined in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN).

Del Monte Foods, which produces and warehouses green beans in its Markesan, Green Lake County, facility, will begin layoffs of its nonunion workforce as early as April 26, 2024. Del Monte reports an oversupply of product and a decrease in demand since the end of the pandemic that required the removal of excess capacity from their supply chain. A plant with 127 workers in Toppenish, Washington, is also closing.

Lakeside Book Company is permanently closing its print production at 800 Midway Road, Menasha, Winnebago County. Layoffs are expected to begin June 7 and end by June 21, impacting 330 employees. Some workers are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Banta Maintenance Department Employees’ Union. The company cited changing customer interest in printed materials as a reason for the closure in Menasha. Two other facilities, one in North Chelmsford, Mass., with 93 workers, and one in Cumberland, R.I., with less than 100 workers, will also end operations by the end of 2024.

FVWDB staff are just now working with company leaders of both employers to determine when Rapid Response sessions may be held to walk through all the benefits available to them. Depending on interest, the Board may plan a private job fair to ensure all workers have an opportunity to meet with interested in employers or conduct mini job fairs at its Menasha job centers.
Laid off workers can contact the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board to discuss retraining options and job search benefits that are available to them through the Workforce Opportunity and Investment Act (WIOA). At the Fox Valley Job Center, displaced workers can find support for resume writing, job searches and interview preparation. All the services at job centers affiliated with the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board are free and covered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s WIOA program.

“Losing a job can be a traumatic, life altering experience for anyone, but the workforce board and staff at the local job center are ready to assist impacted employees with this transition,” FVWDB CEO Anthony Snyder said. “Thankfully, a robust labor market means any worker laid off today will have lots of opportunities for future employment.

“We encourage laid off workers to take some time to look into retraining. Tuition, fees and other expenses, such as rent, mileage to a from the classroom, and childcare, are often available as a part of our programs. These new skills will make an individual more marketable and, in most cases, lead to higher wages at the next job.”

Workers who are impacted by these or any closures or layoffs can reach out to the Fox Cities Job Center-Menasha, 1802 Appleton Road, Menasha, to schedule an appointment with a WIOA career planner either in person or virtually by completing the info form at www.foxvalleyjobcenters.com or calling 920-997-3272.

“While we at the job centers daily work with Unemployment Insurance filing or to assist people with barriers to employment, we also are one of the state’s best kept secrets, offering millions of dollars in tuition and support dollars to help individuals who are unemployed, underemployed or unhappily employed get into a career they love,” Snyder said. “If you are someone who is not looking forward to getting up on Monday as you face the prospect of another week at a job you hate or no job at all, please find your closest American Job Center like Fox Cities Job Center in Menasha and ask to speak to a career planner. We can help you find the career of your dreams.”

For more information or to get started in determining your best next step, complete the info form at www.foxvalleyjobcenters.com or call 920-997-3272. The WIOA Dislocated Worker program is available to anyone laid off or soon to be laid off from any employer.