North Carolina Ready To Respond To Hoke County Job Loss | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     North Carolina will offer a rapid response to affected employees at House of Raeford Farms plant closure in Raeford and the growers linked to the business.

    Governor Pat McCrory directed the Department of Commerce to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to quickly assess the situation.

    "We must use the next 4-to-6 months to proactively help workers find jobs and help turkey farmers diversify," said Governor McCrory.

    House of Raeford informed the governor's team of the impending plant closure in Raeford as well as its turkey hatchery in Rose Hill. According to the company, several hundred people could potentially be out of work. More than 100 farmers supply the hatchery.

    "Once we receive the proper notice, the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions will offer the company an early intervention plan that provides transitional help for the workers in this difficult time," said Governor McCrory.

    Services may include on-site help with unemployment benefits and job assistance workshops for affected workers.

    The family-owned business is expected to focus on increasing chicken production and expanding its lines of fully cooked chickens and turkeys. As a result, the cook plant in Raeford will remain open. House of Raeford is one the nation's ten largest chicken processors. The company will continue to employ 2,300 North Carolinians.

    As for the turkey farmers, some may be able to diversify to chickens and continue the working relationship with House of Raeford. North Carolina's Agriculture Department offers resources on the Grower Information Assistance Network website at: http://www.ncagr.gov/gain/index.htm.

    "North Carolina farmers are resilient, but in times of need we should do all that we can to support them," said Governor McCrory.

    Contact: Crystal Feldman     govpress@nc.gov