Smithfield Announces Plans for New Sioux Falls Facility

Project Represents Significant Investment and Opens Door for Future Downtown Redevelopment

Smithfield Foods in partnership with the State of South Dakota, the City of Sioux Falls, and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, announced Feb. 16 that it has initiated the approval process to build a new state-of-the-art packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, representing a proposed investment of up to $1.3 billion over the next three years.

The new facility will be constructed in Foundation Park, an industrial park in northwest Sioux Falls, and is intended to replace Smithfield’s existing downtown plant, which has played a major role in the regional economy for more than 100 years. Smithfield currently employs approximately 3,200 people in Sioux Falls, providing $200 million in annual wages, and supports thousands of additional jobs across agriculture and related industries.

According to the company, the proposed facility would be among the most modern of its kind in the United States, featuring advanced automation technology, improved efficiency and a streamlined design to support both fresh pork and high-value packaged meats production. The investment reflects Smithfield’s long-term commitment to Sioux Falls and its strategy to modernize operations while continuing to serve customers and agricultural partners across the region.

Smithfield worked in partnership with South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation on the opportunity to build the new facility outside of downtown Sioux Falls. The new facility will support independent hog farmers, corn and soybean producers and other agricultural sectors that fuel the pork supply chain in South Dakota and the surrounding region.

The project is subject to permitting, regulatory approvals and final corporate approval. If approved, site work could begin in 2026, with groundbreaking anticipated in 2027 and production expected to begin in 2028.

The planned transition also creates a significant opportunity for future redevelopment of the company’s existing downtown site. In support of that effort, T. Denny Sanford gave $50 million to the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, which will then grant the funds to the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to purchase the downtown property.

“Our donors continue to support this community, and this gift from Denny Sanford through the Community Foundation will be truly transformational,” said Andy Patterson, CEO, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. “We are proud to play a small part in shaping the future of Sioux Falls.”

“Smithfield’s investment in a new facility in Sioux Falls will have a transformational impact on our community and our agriculture economy,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO, Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “The new facility will bring skilled jobs for Smithfield’s workforce, provide renewed value-added agriculture opportunities for regional producers and create an incredible redevelopment opportunity in Downtown Sioux Falls.”

Together, these efforts reflect continued confidence in Sioux Falls’ future and present meaningful opportunities for economic development, job creation and long-term community growth.

The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce expresses its gratitude to Smithfield Foods; the City of Sioux Falls and Mayor Paul TenHaken; the State of South Dakota, Governor Larry Rhoden and Commissioner Bill Even of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development; the Sioux Falls Development Foundation; and the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and T. Denny Sanford for their continued investment in Sioux Falls and their ongoing
commitment to the region’s economy and workforce.