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KFC, Charter among Wisconsin companies that laid off workers in August. Jobless rate remains unchanged.

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KFC, Charter among Wisconsin companies that laid off workers in August. Jobless rate remains unchanged.

After fewer than 50 Wisconsin workers were laid off from their jobs in July, August saw an increase in job cuts, affecting 285 workers at five companies.

One employer, Festival Foods, transferred workers to different locations.

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is still at 3%, according to the most recent data from the state Department of Workforce Development. The state also reported a record high employment rate for the third consecutive month with about 3,049,700 people working.

In the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis area, there were about 862,600 people working, a decrease of 3,700 from June. However the unemployment rate stayed the same at 3.7%.

Bret Mayborne, vice president of economic research for Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, said July’s numbers showed “continued weakness in most employment indicators and some improvements in local housing and real estate indicators.”

According to the MMAC, both local housing and real estate indicators posted growth in July following year-over-year declines in June. Metro area existing home sales in July rose 5.6% versus July 2023 while mortgages recorded in Milwaukee County increased 6.5%.

Here’s more information on the companies that laid off workers:

DHL Distribution

Warehousing and storage company DHL Distribution announced Friday it was closing its facility in Sturtevant laying off 32. The layoffs are scheduled to begin in February 2025.

Charter Communications

On Wednesday, Charter Communications announced it was closing its regional operations facility in Madison, cutting 36 employees. The layoffs are expected to begin on Oct. 28.

EYM Chicken of Wisconsin (KFC)

EYM Chicken of Wisconsin, also know as KFC, is closing restaurants in Janesville, Beloit, Stoughton, Reedsburg and Watertown. In total 81 employees were laid off. In a letter to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, EYM Chicken of Wisconsin cited “unforeseen business circumstance and not being able to reach a resolution with KFC,” as the reason for the decision.

Festival Foods

Festival Foods closed its store in Greenfield, laying off 91 workers who transferred to different locations. The store closed on Aug. 13.

Besse Forrest Products Group

On Aug. 2, Besse Forrest Products Group laid off workers in three locations:

  • Wisconsin Veneer and Plywood, based in Mattoon, laid off 42 workers.
  • Birchwood Manufacturing, based in Rice Lake, laid off 46 workers.
  • Goodman Veneer and Lumber Company, based in Goodman, laid off 48 workers.
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