Editing Emporia, Kansas (section)

==Economy==
In addition to [[Emporia State University]] and other large public-sector employers such as the city and county governments, the public schools, and the county hospital, Emporia has several large private-sector employers.<ref name=regional>{{cite web  | title = Private Sector Employees | publisher = Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas | url = http://www.emporia.com/econdev/index_files/Page669.htm | access-date = August 20, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070629164945/http://www.emporia.com/econdev/index_files/Page669.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = June 29, 2007}}</ref> Previously, a [[Tyson Foods]] beef-packing plant employed more than 2,400 workers.<ref name="regional"/> [[Hostess Brands]] has a bakery in Emporia. Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation, founded in Emporia in 1953, by E.L. "Bud" Hopkins, and recognized in 2003 as the city's Large Employer of the Year,<ref>{{cite web  | title = Emporia's 2003 Employer of the Year | publisher = Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation | url = http://www.hopkinsmfg.com/| access-date = August 26, 2007}}</ref> makes products for the automotive aftermarket. The [[Braum's|Braum]] dairy store chain, based in Oklahoma City, originated in Emporia in 1952 under the name ''Peter Pan.''<ref>{{cite web | title = Our History | publisher = Braum's Online, LLC | url = http://www.braums.com/OurHistory.asp | access-date = August 26, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070902160116/http://www.braums.com/OurHistory.asp | archive-date = September 2, 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[Simmons Pet Food]] operates a multi-acre plant in Emporia that manufactures wet dog food.<ref>{{cite web|title=Facilities |publisher=Menu Foods Income Fund |url=http://www.menufoods.com/about_us/facilities.html |access-date=August 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819131201/http://www.menufoods.com/about_us/facilities.html |archive-date=August 19, 2007 }}</ref>

On January 25, 2008, Tyson unexpectedly announced the layoff of 1,500&nbsp;workers (more than 60&nbsp;percent) by March 25, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tyson will eliminate slaughter in Emporia |newspaper=Emporia Gazette |date=January 25, 2008 |url=http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2008/jan/25/tyson_will_eliminate_slaughter_here/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729230328/http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2008/jan/25/tyson_will_eliminate_slaughter_here/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |access-date=January 26, 2008 }}</ref>  The company said it needed to move its slaughter operations closer to where the cattle are raised in western Kansas.<ref>{{cite web | title = Tyson Plant in Emporia Ceasing Operations | publisher = WIBW-TV | date = January 25, 2008 | url = http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/14441047.html | access-date = January 26, 2008 | archive-date = January 27, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080127225452/http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/14441047.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>  As the city's largest employer for 37&nbsp;years, the Tyson plant creates almost 10&nbsp;percent of the local economy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Emporia Leaders Say They'll Make Do |publisher=KAKE-TV |date=January 26, 2008 |url=http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/14457807.html |access-date=January 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713134107/http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/14457807.html |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref> In December 2024, Tyson announced to the 809 remaining employees that the plant in Emporia would be permanently ceasing operations on February 14, 2025. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Amanda |title=UPDATE: Emporia Tyson plant to permanently close in February |url=https://www.emporiagazette.com/business/article_33a10f88-b0bf-11ef-912d-8313a4678a5c.html |website=Emporia Gazette |publisher=Emporia Gazette |access-date=2 December 2024 |language=en |date=2 December 2024}}</ref> The company plans to continue their optimization strategy of consolidating operations in western Kansas.