GARNER, N.C. — Work will soon resume at ConAgra Foods’ Slim Jim meat snack plant in Garner, N.C. On June 9, a gas explosion damaged the half of the building that handled product packaging, killing three employees and injuring nearly 40 more. Training is scheduled to start July 19, and production will resume July 27.

"The production area will reopen, but the packaging area remains closed," ConAgra spokesman Dave Jackson told MEATPOULTRY.com. "We will produce Slim Jims in Garner and in Troy, Ohio, and use third parties for packaging. All workers will return when we reopen."

The workers have been paid their wages since the explosion closed the facility. Investigators said the blast appeared to stem from natural gas being vented into the building.

When asked if the company plans to reconstruct the areas of the plant affected by the blast — and if so, when the company estimates construction to be completed, as well as when the company hopes the plant will be fully operational again — Mr. Jackson said answers to these questions will be announced in the future.