NASHVILLE - Gaylord Entertainment Co. is laying off more than 1,700 employees as a result of flooding that inundated the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Grand Ole Opry House and other company properties.
The company announced Wednesday that 1,743 workers will be released June 12 with two weeks of pay plus any unused vacation.
The Nashville-based company said it will continue to employ 919 workers during restoration, primarily in accounting, sales, technical support, engineering, horticulture and security.
Gaylord said an assessment of damage shows $215-$225 million in restoration is necessary after record flooding that began with 13.57 inches of rain that fell the first two days in May.
The company plans to reopen the 2,881-room hotel Nov. 15 and expects most rehiring to occur 6-8 weeks before then.