DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — ConAgra Foods Inc. is closing its microwave popcorn plant in Hamburg, Iowa and cutting 95 jobs, a move the company says is needed to improve efficiency.
The company, based in Omaha, Neb., says it will close the plant in October and move the operations to its other popcorn facilities. They are in Marion, Ohio, and Rensselaer, Ind.
The Hamburg plant makes Orville Redenbacher's and ACT II microwave popcorn. The company announced the closing on Wednesday.
Spokesman Chris Whitehair says the company wishes the decision wasn't necessary, especially with the "challenges" Hamburg has faced with flooding along the Missouri River. But, he says, closing the plant was the most economically viable option.
ConAgra's separate bulk popcorn plant will remain in Hamburg. It has about 45 employees.