The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Butterball will shutter its Gusto meatpacking plant in Montgomery, IL, a small town located just outside of Aurora. Butterball acquired Gusto Packing Co. in 2013, but most of the plant's products will be discontinued after the plant closes mid-summer. An estimated 600 jobs will be lost.
The region is suffering its second manufacturing loss, as Caterpillar announced earlier this year that it would close its manufacturing plant in Montgomery by mid-2018, eliminating about 800 workers.
CBS Chicago says Butterball is citing “changing market conditions and consumer needs” as reasons for the plant’s closure. They also said the company is willing to help place some affected workers who would be open to moving to other locations.
