An Illinois-based company that owns a candy plant in southwest Iowa plans to close the facility, putting more than 250 employees out of work. Production at the Ferrara (fer-R-uh) Candy Company facility in Creston will end in mid-December. The plant has been making gummi bears and other candy for more than 30 years. According to a statement from the company, the “difficult decision” to close the Creston plant came after a “comprehensive review” of Ferrara operations.

Executives say the Illinois company plans to focus on its “most efficient assets” and invest in “state of the art facilities.” The 256 workers at the Creston plant will be offered “severance and transition assistance,” according to a company statement. City leaders in Creston say the news came as a surprise.

In 2015, then-Governor Terry Branstad toured the plant in Creston. Company officials said during that visit two years ago that their number one obstacle was finding enough workers.

(Radio Iowa)