FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Navajo Agricultural Products Industry officials are giving its Navajo Pride flour mill a face lift, but only after shutting it down.
The Daily Times reports that the closure, effective today, will last a year and affect 26 employees.
NAPI CEO Tsosie Lewis said some of the displaced employees are being placed in other departments of the company and some of the mill's top workers will be sent to college for additional training.
During the closure the mill will replace the old equipment — some of which is 30 to 40 years old — in order to increase output.
Lewis said the closure was prompted by increased expenses and falling sales in addition to the need for upgrades.
NAPI is a business entity owned by the Navajo Nation.
