Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor traveled to Postville Thursday to unveil state and federal help for residents affected by the shutdown of a kosher meatpacking plant. Patty Judge addressed a town hall meeting and said three AmeriCorps VISTA workers will be in Postville next week to help needy residents with job searches, food, shelter and health services.
Many former workers at Agriprocessors are struggling to make ends meet since the plant was raided by immigration officials in May. The company has since filed for bankruptcy and is for sale. "We do understand the frustration that you must feel," Judge said. "This whole event started out bad and has gone from bad to worse to worse. We hope, and have some reason to believe, that we’re starting to see a little bit of light."
Judge presented the town with a contract for the release of 700-thousand dollars in community development block grants. Individuals affected by the shutdown of Agriprocessors can apply for money from the fund to help pay their bills. The funds are meant for low to moderate income residents. "I don’t think people that have been without work for several months will have any problem qualifying," Judge said. Each household is eligible for up to three-thousand dollars.