Van Buren mayor talks partnerships economic development plan ahead of Tyson Foods plant closing

VAN BUREN — Crawford County’s largest city is going strong with partnerships and a new plan for economic development despite losing a local employer, according to Mayor Joe Hurst. Hurst gave his state of the city address at the City Council meeting Monday. Hurst said the planned closing of Tyson Foods’ poultry plant May 12 is a “sad ordeal” for the 969 workers employed there and their families. The closing became public knowledge mid-March. Hurst said he was optimistic about the employees’ future due to the partnerships the city has developed with entities including the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce,…