Fieldale to close one Gainesville plant

GAINESVILLE - Fieldale Farms is closing the oldest plant in its three-plant poultry processing system - the one on Dorsey Street in Gainesville. <br> <br> The plant employs 500 people, but vice president Tom Hensley says each employee will be offered work elsewhere in the Fieldale family.<br> <br> &#34;We have been able to do that, we are able to do that and that&#39;s what we&#39;re going to do,&#34; said Fieldale Vice President Tom Hensley. &#34;There&#39;s nothing as important to us as our people.&#34;<br> <br> Hensley added Fieldale has not ruled out providing transportation to other plants in the Fieldale system for those Dorsey Street workers who live within walking distance of the plant and have no way of getting to work except to walk. <br> <br> Hensley says the 55-year-old Dorsey Street plant will close August 3 because it&#39;s in such a state of disrepair and will be torn down. <br> <br> &#34;The plant is...falling apart, and its just inefficient (to keep it open),&#34; Hensley said. &#34;The layout of the plant can&#39;t be changed and the configuration of the walls can&#39;t be changed.&#34; <br> <br> However, he says Fieldale plans to build a new facility on the site in another two years or so.