Furloughs, Layoffs Loom in Noble, Kay Counties

By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

PONCA CITY -- Noble and Kay counties are taking serious economic hits as Ditch Witch announced furloughs for employees through the end of the year and the Tyson plant will close.

Ditch Witch is Perry's largest employer, with more than 1,000 people working for the company which manufacturers trenching machinery.

"They sell worldwide," said Perry Mayor Chuck Hall. "They're doing all they can to cope with it."

The company announced Monday a voluntary retirement program and the furloughs to continue. Currently, employees are only working about two weeks a month. A company spokesperson said, "The last thing we want to do is a reduction in workforce."

"Ditch Witch has been through this before," Hall said. "They've come back stronger than ever and we believe they'll come back stronger this time."

The mayor said Perry is a pioneer town, with good and hard working people. He said despite Monday's announcement, the economy is good with sales tax being up, but just 30 miles away, Ponca City is dealing with another economic blow.

Last week, Ponca City learned Tyson Foods was closing its meat processing plant which employs 580 people.

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"Ideally, it's our understanding three other firms are considering buying the plant," said Ponca City Mayor Homer Nicholson. "The best thing that could happen is someone else buys the plant keeps it in operating and never misses a day's work."

The disappointing news came on the heels of an announcement by Conoco Phillips, which plans to move more 750 jobs out of Ponca City during the next two years.

"There's a lot of construction activities going on in our community, so there are things to keep the community going and busy," said Ponca City City Manager Craig Stephenson.