The Omaha, Neb.-based food manufacturer has notified state officials in a letter released Monday that the layoffs will take place in the middle of April, reports the Associated Press. ConAgra has previously said it will close the North Carolina site in late 2011 and transition production to a facility in Ohio.
The 2009 explosion at the plant in Garner killed four people and caused parts of the building's roof to collapse. Investigators have said contractors were purging gas lines at the time of the blast. About 750 people worked at the North Carolina operation when the explosion occurred. ConAgra is donating the facility and land to the Town of Garner.