May 24, 2006
Riviana Foods Working on Lease Agreement
A century-old mill that laid off more than 100 employees last year when it closed its doors has found a new occupant.
Eyewitness News has learned Riviana Foods is working on a lease agreement with a north Louisiana rice producer.
A company representative tells Eyewitness News Riviana Foods is in the process of leasing the building to Elton Kennedy out of Monroe, Louisiana, who plans to change the name of the mill back to Planters Rice Mill.
Sources tell Eyewitness News Kennedy plans to hire the employees who remain at the Riviana mill.
About half of Riviana's staff was laid off last year when its owners announced they were putting the century-old mill on the market.
The move affected more than 100 employees, including 70 packaging machine operators.
At that time, a company spokesperson told Eyewitness News those employees would be offered a severance or retirement package.
Eyewitness News has learned those employees who choose to work for the new company will not be offered either.
The lease is set to begin on July 1st.
If the agreement falls through, Riviana could completely close its doors for good on September 30th.
Riviana Foods representatives referred Eyewitness News to its attorney, Susie Woodard.
Our phone calls to her were not returned.
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