Closure of a local Smithfield Packaged Meats’ facility adds to the growing list of businesses shuttering across Massachusetts — along with nearly 200 new layoffs — in the early months of the new year, prompting some critics to raise concerns about a potentially troubling trend hitting the state’s economy.

“Eventually, these businesses are voting with the feet,” said Paul Craney, executive director of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “They’re moving out of state, or they’re not expanding, or they’re shutting down.”

The Smithfield Packaged Meats Springfield facility, the company’s only location in the state, announced plans to close in late August. The loss of the facility will cost 190 jobs, with layoffs beginning in April and lasting through September, according to a company letter sent to employees reported by Western Mass News.

In a statement Tuesday, Smithfield said they are “providing transition support and discussing options with employees at the Springfield location.” Production will be transferred to other packaged meat facilities.

The announcement follows a wave of similar headlines that have drawn attention recent weeks, including news that Panera Bread’s Franklin bakery closure, the move of Zipcar’s Boston headquarter and Thermo Fisher Scientific closure in Franklin would cost around 260 total jobs.

On top of those, the state is set to lose its long-time Cape Cod Potato Chip plant and 50 jobs — though the company Campbell said they would “maintain a significant and lasting community presence” in the Hyannis area — Curia Global’s Burlington facility and about 80 jobs, and Harvard Bioscience’s Holliston plant.

Also locally, the Acton-based Circle Furniture closed eight locations across Massachusetts and filed for bankruptcy in February, while national companies facing bankruptcy have announced numerous closures, including Eddie Bauer’s four Massachusetts store and Saks OFF 5th stores in Wrentham and Assembly Square.

Craney argued the businesses decision are “not isolated incidents,” blaming the state government’s “high energy costs, aggressive regulation, and a hostile business environment.”

“This is a pattern, and it is accelerating,” Craney said. “Nearly 200 families in Western Massachusetts are now facing layoffs because the business climate is making it increasingly difficult to operate in this state.”

However, state officials have pointed to strong business growth trends, including recent Bureau of Economic Analysis data showed Massachusetts had the fastest-growing economy in the country for much of last year. At 2.99% GDP increase in the first three quarters of 2025, Massachusetts ranked highest for growth, followed by New York and Connecticut, according to the most recent Bureau of Economic Analysis data.

Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley said they take “seriously” any time Massachusetts workers are impacted by layoffs, though companies are expanding while others face challenges “on any given day.”

“These decisions reflect company-specific factors, industry changes, shifting priorities and national economic trends,” Paley said. “Our state continues to attract and grow leading companies because of our talent, innovation economy, and global competitiveness, and we’re staying focused on lowering costs and creating the conditions for long-term growth and opportunity in Massachusetts.”

In her State of the State speech, Gov. Healey highlighted the companies’ decisions to move to and grow in Massachusetts, including Hasbro, LEGO, Alnylam and Transmedics.

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MassFiscal noted Smithfield’s filing with state officials cited “changed business requirements,” arguing the decision “comes amid rising energy costs and increasing tax burdens.” States like New Hampshire, Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina, argued Craney, attract businesses with fewer of such costs and regulations.

“There’s a huge impact on the workers who are out of work, to their families, the people that rely on them,” said Craney. “That’s first and foremost, but also it sets a horrible reputation for Massachusetts that we’re not in the business of business.”