State workforce officials prepare to assist 442 workers affected by Conagra closure
MACON, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development says its Rapid Response team is in contact with Conagra Brands after the company announced it will permanently close its Macon plant and eliminate 442 jobs.
Heather Dolce, an assistant commissioner with the department, said Tuesday the state does not yet have details about specific meetings or events for affected employees.
“Our Rapid Response team is in contact with Conagra, but I do not have specific details to share about meetings or events at this time,” Dolce said in an email to ABC 17 News.
A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice submitted to the state says layoffs were expected to occur during a 14-day period beginning Friday, Jan. 15, 2027.
The notice lists 388 production, maintenance and truck-driving jobs and 47 management and administrative positions. Those classifications account for 435 positions, although the notice states that 442 employees will be affected by the closure.
Production, maintenance and truck-driving employees are represented by Teamsters Local 688 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2, according to the notice. Management and administrative employees are not represented by a union.
A representative with Teamsters Local 688 told ABC 17 News the union did not feel comfortable commenting yet. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2 did not respond to a request for comment.
Conagra said Monday the closure followed a review of its manufacturing network and its continuing efforts to operate efficiently while supporting the needs of the business.
“This decision was not made lightly, and we are grateful for our employees’ contributions and are committed to treating affected employees fairly and with respect throughout the transition,” the company said.
Macon County Economic Development said in a Facebook post it is “deeply saddened” by the closure and recognizes the effect it could have on employees, their families and the broader community.
The organization is directing affected employees to Missouri’s Rapid Response program. The free program provides:
Information about unemployment insurance Reemployment services and job-search assistance Résumé writing and interview preparation Training and education opportunities Career counseling and labor-market information Connections to community resources and support servicesData published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows Macon County’s unemployment rate was 3.1% in September. The figure, which comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is not seasonally adjusted.
The closure comes about a year and a half after Conagra announced a $29.1 million expansion of the Macon facility. In May 2025, the Missouri Department of Economic Development said the project was expected to create 26 jobs and retain 340 existing positions. The department described Conagra as Macon County’s largest employer.
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