ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, Va. — Devastating news for a popular K-Cup brand. The Keurig Green Mountain facility in Windsor announced it will permanently close by the end of 2024, leaving hundreds of people without jobs.
The announcement came in a press release from Isle of Wight County's Department of Economic Development Director, Kristi Sutphin.
In 2012, KGM, a subsidiary of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., began operations in Isle of Wight County and eventually grew into the area's third-largest machinery and tools taxpayer behind International Paper and Smithfield Foods.
The company's decision to cease operations will affect 379 employees.
Sutphin said her staff will "work with the Commonwealth’s Rapid Response Team to provide resources to impacted employees and assist the company as operations wind down.”
One of those employees impacted is production tech Nathan Ritz, who got his first full-time job at the facility.
"When I got there, it was a whole bunch of nice, hardworking people," he said.
But Ritz's future plans with Keurig changed with the announcement of the facility's closure.
"Everyone's pretty sad. A lot of emotions..." he said of the situation with himself and his co-workers.
For employees who want to stay in the company, there is a possibility for relocation.
"If you want to, they’ll help you go to a different site," Ritz said. "There’s multiple cold, hot plants, and soda plants around the area."
However, Ritz said that option isn't feasible for many people, including himself.
"It’s something that isn’t an option for me at my age," he said. "I'm not really able to just move to another state."
In the statement to 13news now, Keurig stated it will “support employees through this transition including severance packages and career planning assistance.”
No specified date has been announced for the official shutdown of the facility and its operations.
