The word came and spread quickly Wednesday (April 3rd) morning that Quaker Oats in Danville is being closed for good by Pepsico. Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr had heard about some trouble, and was hoping things would rebound. But, that didn’t happen.
AUDIO: A couple of weeks ago I was informed that there had been a huge salmonella outbreak at the plant, and they had closed down for a couple of months for intensive cleaning and updates and things like that. So my thought and hope had always been that we would be able to get things cleaned up, and then go right back to production. And unfortunately, it hasn’t panned out that way.
Vermilion Advantage Executive Director Mike Marron says it’s his understanding that all operations are ceasing immediately, and that employees will be paid through June 8th. Marron says the top priority right now is get everyone together and help 500-plus people find new jobs in Vermilion County. And that means combining Vermilion Advantage’s efforts with DACC, Vermilion County Works, Mayor Williams, and other local leaders.
AUDIO: One of the challenges that we’ve had here recently is that we have a lot of employers that have good, high paying jobs, with open positions. And it’s just a matter of getting people to fill those positions. So, we want to try to keep as many of these people in the community as we can.
Mayor Williams agreed, saying working with Dr. Nacco at DACC, Chuck Jones at the American Jobs Center, and the Vermilion Advantage team to compile a list of available jobs in the area and what training is needed is the top priority. He says, Danville has taken similar hits like this before, but bounced back with old fashioned determination.
AUDIO: Vermilion Advantage, and Vicki Hogan particularly, worked extremely hard after we lost GM, to diversify our economy and bring in all different kinds of companies. And thankfully, that’s been successful.
As far as what happens to the Quaker Oats facility on East Voorhees, Mayor Williams says he has already communicated about that; making sure that it is not simply abandoned and left to the city to deal with.
AUDIO: I’ve spoken to the governmental relations team at Quaker Oats. They’ve asked us to help them find someone to reuse the building; or if not, they have committed that they will demolish it. They will not leave us with a behemoth as other entities have done.
Mayor Williams says there are good employers in Danville, ready to offer solid wages and benefits like Quaker Oats did.
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT FROM THE VERMILION COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Sen. Rose Statement on Quaker Oats Closing in Danville
Springfield, IL– State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) released the following statement regarding the announcement of Quaker Oats Closing in Danville.
“This terrible news doesn’t just impact Danville, but all central Illinois. Our office is committed to helping these employees in any way possible. After speaking with Mike Marron, the CEO of Vermillion Advantage, our first priority will be to assist in their upcoming job fair.
“We need to get as many of these people re-employed as quickly as possible. To that end, I have additionally talked with County Board Chair Larry Baughn, Senator Faraci, Representative Brandun Schwizer and have messages into Danville’s mayor to let them know that our office is ready to assist during this terrible time.”
