MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Earlier this week, Cargill announced that its meat processing plant in Milwaukee will be closing at the end of May. 

As a result of the closing, 221 people will be losing their jobs, starting as early as April.

Jacklyn Sandoval’s father has been working at the plant for three years as a material handler. 

“I know he’s taking it hard, but he’ll get there, we’ll get there for him,” Sandoval said. “I felt sad for him when I heard about it, obviously that’s my dad I want to make sure he’s okay.”

Sandoval works at Express Employment in Milwaukee, which will be a helpful resource for her father. 

“It’s unfortunate for him and me hearing that, but luckily I work here and can try to do what I can to help him out,” Sandoval said. 

Sandoval’s father and the others losing their jobs will soon be on the job market, but Express Employment Franchise Developer Ryan Paquette says the market in Wisconsin is in good shape. 

“In general, I would say employment in Wisconsin is strong,” Paquette said. “There’s certainly opportunities for the affected workers; Milwaukee County is very strong in manufacturing.”

In December 2025, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was around 3%, with the national unemployment rate over 4%. 

Wisconsin state Senator Chirs Larson says the closing of the plant could also be bad news for the food supply in Wisconsin. 

“There’s been a huge consolidation of a lot of the different markets,” Larson said. “The meat market in particular is down to about five companies now for the entirety of the country.”

Larson warns of higher prices for consumers, and the possibility of more contamination in the food markets. 

"Consumers beware,” Larson said. “I think as much as they can, people can buy local and buy direct from different farmers, it’s a way to protect yourself."