Cooks Venture, a prominent poultry processor, has announced the closure of its operations and facilities in eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. The shutdown includes two processing plants located in Jay and Tahlequah, along with six farms and plants in Arkansas, impacting a total of 511 employees across all locations.
Becki Farley, the Mayor of Jay, expressed sadness over the loss of business and emphasized the greater concern for the individuals who lost their jobs, particularly during the holiday season. Approximately 200 people were employed at the Jay facility.
The company, known for breeding pasture-raised heirloom chickens and implementing regenerative agriculture systems, has faced financial challenges. Despite actively seeking financing from investors since September, Cooks Venture was unable to secure funds for its operating expenses, as stated in a letter sent to employees.
In the letter, Cooks Venture officials mentioned that, due to the unexpected and last-minute lack of financing, they were unable to provide more notice about the closure. The shutdown process is expected to take several weeks and is likely to be permanent.
Local authorities, including the city of Jay, are collaborating with the Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Employment Securities Commission to assist former employees in applying for unemployment benefits and finding future job placements. A job fair is scheduled at the City of Jay Community Center this Thursday to support affected workers in their transition.
Farley emphasized the community’s commitment to helping the impacted individuals find new employment opportunities and rebuild their lives after the closure of Cooks Venture facilities.
