LEXINGTON, Neb. — The upcoming closure of the Tyson Foods meat-processing plant marks a major change for Lexington, but community leaders say it won’t define the city.

Vice president of the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce Clay Patton emphasized the city’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in a written statement, saying “Lexington boasts a robust community of diligent and hard-working people with an entrepreneurial spirit. While we may have lost a significant employer, we also have an opportunity as a community. We are ready and excited to welcome an employer who sees the same hard-working spirit that I see in our town,” said Patton.

Local and regional employers are already reaching out with potential opportunities.

Gibbon Packing has offered positions in Gibbon and other cities, with American Foods Group representatives visiting Lexington over the weekend to meet with job seekers.

AFG says it has openings in Gibbon as well as out-of-state facilities in Missouri and Minnesota, with relocation assistance available.

The company will hold information meetings Monday and Tuesday from 1 to 7 p.m. at 619 2nd Ave in Kearney.

Even with the plant’s closure looming, city leaders and local groups say they are focused on helping residents explore new job opportunities and access resources to ease the transition.