PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The governor’s spokeswoman said Monday that South Dakota state government won’t be providing any financial assistance to Smithfield Foods, as the Chinese-controlled company prepares to build a new pork-packing plant on the northwest side of Sioux Falls and replace its aging operation in the heart of the city.
“No state taxpayer dollars or incentives are going directly to the company,” press secretary Josie Harms said in an email response to a question from KELOLAND News. During the announcement, Gov. Larry Rhoden said the relocation would be the largest economic development project in the history of South Dakota. The amount of the project wasn’t stated.
Harms went on to indicate that the Governor’s Office of Economic Development has been assisting in some fashion, however. Smithfield plans to start construction of the new plant in 2027 at a location within Foundation Park, a development area on the north side of the Interstate 29 and Interstate 90 interchange. “I’d refer you to GOED for specifics on the development package,” she said…