As it gets ready to close, an unexpected Florida plant is currently laying off hundreds of workers, according to a notice from the Florida Department of Commerce.
According to a posting on the Florida Department of Commerce website, the Cutrale orange juice plant in Leesburg is closing and laying off 117 workers.
According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification statute (WARN), the notice is necessary.
There will be 101 layoffs in phase one on July 31 and 16 layoffs in phase two on October 31.
A note explaining the decision to relocate packing activities from the Leesburg facility to their own facilities was included.
According to Daily Commercial, Cutrale’s human resources director was not available for comment.
Not only is the plant a longstanding landmark in the city, but it also plays a significant role in its economy.
The factory purchases water and power from the city, for instance.
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Al Minner, the municipal manager, called the closure “a big deal.” He is analyzing statistics to determine the precise amount that the closure would affect the city’s budget.
The president and chief executive officer of the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Sandi Moore, recalled her childhood memories of Leesburg and the scent of burnt oranges emanating from the plant located on U.S. Highway 441.
“I’m quite depressed.
She mentioned that the facility is one of the largest employers in the community and that “a lot of people will be impacted by this.”
The plant has significant tax implications as well.
Regardless of whether the plant is in operation or not, the corporation will still be required to pay property taxes.
Property appraiser Carey Baker of Lake County stated, “There will be a big hit on tangible taxes.”
Business equipment is subject to tangible taxation.
Truck drivers that deliver oranges from other counties as well as associated companies will be impacted by the change.
