Local news reports and officials confirmed that Conagra Brands has ceased operations at its food factory in the east Tennessee town of Newport, TN.
Citing a company statement, WVLT (Knoxville) reported that Conagra shuttered the plant on Oct. 22. It opened in 1905.
The move impacted about 215 jobs, and approximately 30 more will be impacted once the facility's warehouse portion also closes.
In a statement sent to WVLT, Conagra said the decision came from the company's "need to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible across our full network of production facilities."
The company added that the products the Newport plant produced — Manwich, Van Camp’s Beans, Ranch Style Beans and Hunt’s spaghetti and tomato sauce — will now be made primarily at plants in Archbold, OH and Ft. Madison, IA.
"We informed our employees early this year and have discussed the timing and transition support as part of the process," Conagra told WVLT. "Employees are also able to apply for positions at other Conagra facilities."
