Workforce Development Board - Rapid Response to planned Anheuser Busch Closure

The City of Fairfield's Workforce Development Board convened to address the impending closure of the Anheuser Busch plant scheduled for mid to late February 2026. The meeting focused on the economic and employment impact on the 238 direct employees and an estimated 544 workers including associated businesses and vendors. The Board outlined their rapid response strategy, which includes on-site engagement with affected employees on January 8th and 9th to provide information on reemployment services, training opportunities, and supportive services funded by state grants. Collaboration with unemployment agencies, labor representatives, and local employers is planned to facilitate retraining and job placement, including organizing career fairs targeting positions such as production workers, maintenance, and lab technicians. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the community and workforce disruption caused by the plant closure and other regional employment reductions.