LEESBURG, FL (352today.com) – A long-time member of the Leesburg business community will be saying goodbye.
The citrus industry used to be synonymous with Lake County, but two things changed the complexion of the sector in Central Florida.
A series of freezes several decades ago and an outbreak of citrus greening or Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterial infection that’s spread by an insect, the Asian Citrus Psyllid, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) animal and plant health inspection service.
The citrus juice packing plant that was once owned by Coca-Cola and produced globally renowned names, Minute Maid and Simply Orange, will close its doors on Halloween.
Cutrale sent a letter to the State Trade and Rapid Response Program on May 17, announcing that beginning this summer, layoffs for 117 employees would occur in two phases. The company says 101 will be laid off on July 31 from their citrus plant operations in Leesburg and the second phase of layoffs for the remaining 16 staffers will come on October 31.
Cutrale told the state the reason for layoffs is that the company’s primary business partner has decided to move packaging operations from the Leesburg facility to their own facility. Cutrale, a Brazilian company, had acquired the packing plant from Coca-Cola several years ago. 352today contacted the human resources director at the company’s Auburndale office on June 3, but she wouldn’t comment on the company’s decision.
“Cutrale has been a big employer and a great supporter of the community,” said Sandi Moore, Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “They’ve been very philanthropic and have supported the schools with initiatives and things of that nature. Any time you have a number of employees who will be losing their jobs, it’s a huge impact.”
The citrus smell that once permeated the air in the Cloud Street area, has become a distant memory because of the changes in processing. But the plant itself evokes pleasant memories with its long-term presence.
“It’s been a big part of the community, whether it’s been with Coca-Cola or Minute Maid and now Cutrale,” said Moore. “I don’t think anyone knows what’s going to happen, or what Cutrale wants to do, it was a little bit of a surprise to everyone. I think they’ve had an overwhelming response an outpouring of support and how can we help. That’s what this community is about.”
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The chamber wants the employees who will be laid off as a result of Cutrale’s decision to move the packing plant operations to another location within the community.
“There’s a group of us who are working on a number of things. There’s a job fair that’s planned for July,” said Moore. “We’re getting employers who are actively seeking employees to participate in that job fair, so hopefully we can place all of the people who are losing their jobs. We want the employees to know that we have them, that we care and they’re not in this alone, that they have a community that’s making sure that we find a place for them, and that they can continue to stay in this community.”
However, it’s not just about the employees, it’s about the company, the chamber is also looking for ways to support Cutrale and what’s next for them, said Moore.
The Florida Department of Commerce has provided these resources to help workers who will soon be without a job:
- Florida’s Labor Exchange Marketplace, Employ Florida, connects job seekers to employment, training and education, and also job creators to skilled talent.
- CareerSource Florida’s network local career centers offer tailored career counseling, skills assessments, resume assistance and job placement support.
- Veterans Florida works to help military veterans transition to civilian life – connecting veterans with employers who are eager to hire veterans for jobs that align with the skills their gained serving in the military.
- The Military Family Employment Advocacy Program delivers priority workforce services to active-duty military spouses and family members through Military Family Employment Advocates located in local career centers throughout Florida.
- $5,000 bonuses are available to in state and out-of-state law enforcement recruits through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program, a first-of-its-kind program administered by FloridaCommerce to attract quality candidates to join Florida law enforcement agencies in protecting and serving their local communities.