In a blow to the community and area farmers, the Charles City Press reported June 6 that the Simply Essentials chicken processing plant in Charles City would close effective Aug. 5 unless a buyer was found before then.

A letter given to employees last week stated: “As part of this closing, all Simply Essentials employees — a total of 513 — will be laid off or terminated. These layoffs/terminations are expected to be permanent.”

When Kansas City-based Simply Essentials bought ...