US Department of Labor awards more than $1.6 million to assist workers affected by closure of Nebraska beef processing plant

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $1,671,239 to the Nebraska Department of Labor to support employment and training services for eligible individuals in communities affected by the closure of the Tyson Foods Inc. beef processing plant in Lexington.

On Jan. 20, 2026, Tyson Foods closed its beef processing plant in Lexington, resulting in the layoff of 3,200 workers. This is an unprecedented event for the Lexington community, affecting one-third of approximately 10,500 residents.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, this National Dislocated Worker Grant will allow the Nebraska Department of Labor to provide training and skills development services for dislocated workers seeking assistance in Buffalo, Custer, Dawson, Frontier, Gosper, Lincoln, and Phelps counties.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.