Local farmer: Rivian is a ‘double-edge sword’

Posted on July 8, 2022
Ken Ropp, owner of Ropp Jersey Cheese spoke with WJBC’s Blake Haas. (Photo courtesy: Ropp Jersey Cheese/Facebook)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Rivian automotive is on pace to hire nearly 7,000 employees at its Normal-based manufacturing facility; however, one local farmer reports the major boom is a double-edged sword.

According to Ken Ropp, the owner of Ropp Jersey Cheese in Normal, the large employer is great for his business; but, he’s finding hardship in replacing employees leaving for the electric car producer.

“For the small business owner, it’s a little scary because your labor pool is only so big, and you’ve got to remain competitive in order to keep those employees at your business,” he said on the Afternoon show. “It is a double-edged sword.”

Ropp, who has been in business since 1967, said the labor market mixed with inflation and high diesel prices hamper his bottom line.

“I want to see all of this workout, and I think all of it is for the better. It’s just a matter of there’s got to be some balance in there,” added Ropp.

Ropp Jersey Cheese is the only on-farm cheese producer in Illinois.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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