PLAINFIELD, Ind. — The Walmart Distribution Center that was the site of a massive fire in March is closing for good.

In a notice to the Department of Workforce Development, Walmart representatives said the entire facility will close, impacting a number of Walmart associates. The notice says 1,132 associates may be separated from the company by July 15.

The notice comes shortly after one month since the distribution center caught on fire, lasting 76 hours until firefighters were able to get it under control. The notice says the property damage was too significant to reopen the facility for the foreseeable future. However, Walmart is continuing to work with Duke Realty to determine future plans for the site.

Since the fire, Walmart has worked to place as many of the impacted associates in alternative roles in and around the Plainfield area. This includes a job fair, conducting associate training, and providing other necessary services. Associates accepting new roles with the Company will earn the same base rate of pay in their new role as their former role.

While 957 of the impacted associates that were employed at the distribution center have accepted new roles with the company, the notice says 1,132 associates have not accepted alternative positions. The company notified those associates that the center would close on April 1.

These associates are currently being paid as they search for new jobs. The notice says hourly associates have until July 1 to continue employment with the company. Salaried associates have until July 15. If they do not continue employment, they will be separated from the company.

The notice says Walmart expects the separations to be permanent. However, all separated associates can apply for open positions at other Walmart or Sams Club locations.

To help out those impacted by this closure, Walmart is providing employees with an Associate Support Center to answer policy and practice questions about exiting Walmart, among other supports.

The Town of Plainfield understands that Walmart issued a Workforce Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice indicating their intent to discontinue operations, following the fire on March 16th, at the Walmart Fulfillment and Distribution Center at 9590 All Points Parkway in Plainfield.

This notice allows employees time to transition between jobs prior to their separation of employment. We are aware that Walmart continues to assist employees and has offered many relocation options, including other Walmart operations in Plainfield.

For those that do not accept relocation options, we continue to encourage them to consider many other distribution operations that have similar roles and openings throughout our major business parks in Plainfield. Job seekers looking for job and career assistance are encouraged to reach out to a WorkOne Office (the local office is at 1610 Reeves Road in the MADE@Plainfield facility) for job and career assistance.

Andrew Klinger, Town of Plainfield Town Manager