Job Fair Aims to Help Hundreds of Recently Unemployed People in Connell

The community and other local businesses are rallying together to assist hundreds of recently laid off people in Connell.  Job fairs in the Tri-Cities, like the one at Columbia Basin College on October 21, are being organized to help the former employees find new positions.

The permanent closure of the Lamb Weston potato processing plant in Connell affected around 375 workers. The Connell plant was known for producing a variety of fries and other frozen potato products.

The closure was the result of a combination of factors:

• Supply and Demand Imbalance: There has been a mismatch between the supply of frozen potato products and the demand in North America.
• Inflationary Environment: Ongoing inflation has increased operational costs, making it difficult to maintain profitability.
• Operational Efficiency: The Connell plant was an older, higher-cost facility, and its closure is part of a broader restructuring plan to improve operational and cost efficiencies.

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Employees are encouraged to apply for positions at other Lamb Weston facilities in the Tri-Cities area. Other businesses in the Tri-Cities area that are currently hiring are encouraged to reach out to Ozzy Del Toro at 509-426-4807 and participate in upcoming job fairs.