Simplot Aberdeen closure delayed once again

The J.R. Simplot plant in Aberdeen is still up and running, after it was scheduled to officially close its doors on July 31, but a delay has it rescheduled to close Sept. 2.

The plant was initially slated to close for the first time in March, but due to some set-backs at the new facility in Caldwell, some of the equipment was not working as expected so the Aberdeen plant was needed to sustain the company's high volume of production.

In a statement, Simplot spokesperson David Cuoio said the following: "Simplot's Aberdeen potato processing plant is now scheduled to remain open until Sept. 2. The extension of the closing date is due to unexpectedly high product orders. ... The Simplot Education Program has been offered to Aberdeen employees and some have taken advantage of this opportunity. This provides 100 percent reimbursement per calendar year for structured professional development programs such as GEDs, CPA classes, and welding courses, to name a few. The Simplot Education Program also provides 80 percent reimbursement per year for costs of college undergraduate degrees and post-graduate degrees. Onsite classes in resume preparation have been conducted at the Aberdeen plant for more than two years."

Anderson said he is worried there are still no prospective companies lined up to move into the facility once it's empty, although Aberdeen has been trying for years to get someone to set-up shop in the community who can bring as much economic prosperity as Simplot had.