The news Thursday that Ergon BioFuels LLC, will close its ethanol plant at the Port of Vicksburg in December, certainly was not welcome. It means approximately 30 people will be seeking new employment.

Fortunately, there are job opportunities in the area if those individuals don’t land positions within Ergon, Inc., the Flowood-based refining company that also owns an oil refinery and towboat company in Vicksburg.

Ergon Chief Operating Officer Kris Patrick said that profit margins kept falling, the plant’s equipment has underperformed and the plant faced other economic challenges.

Ergon was originally a partner in the plant, which opened in May 2008. Production, with yearly capacity of 57 million gallons, was suspended in December 2012. Ergon bought out its partner in 2013 and restarted output in 2015.

Unified Brands is seeking to hire individuals for its new facility at the Ceres Industrial Complex and we are certain local economic development officials will be in touch with management to let them know of the talent that will be available. It’s been reported another job fair for the manufacturing company will be held in the fall.

The loss of jobs is never good, but fortunately our community is in a position currently where these individuals have a good chance of finding employment quickly.