Officials say losing the Blakely plant would be devastating for Early County
Community leaders in Blakely, GA and Early County are trying to boost morale amidst a growing scandal at the Blakely peanut plant under investigation for Salmonella contamination.
Early County Development Authority Chair Olin Thompson says the community is hurting and wants everyone to think twice before making judgments about the Peanut Corporation of America plant housed in Blakely. Thompson says 45 people work there and losing those jobs will hurt the area just as much as loosing Cooper Tire jobs in Albany.
“Peanuts are out livelihood,” Olin says, “especially these small rural communities. We’re all struggling to survive. We lose 45 out of the work force in Early County, it’s a blow.”
The Salmonella outbreak spreads through 43 states. Over 500 people have gotten sick and eight have died.
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