Smithfield Foods to Build New $1.3B Plant in Sioux Falls

The new state-of-the-art facility will replace the company's existing 100-year-old plant in the city.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Smithfield Foods, a major American food company, has announced plans to build a new $1.3 billion packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The new plant will replace Smithfield's existing facility in the city, which has been in operation for over a century. The proposed investment is contingent on securing required permits and regulatory approvals, as well as final board approval from Smithfield.

Why it matters

Smithfield's existing plant in Sioux Falls employs 3,200 people and supports thousands of indirect jobs in the regional economy. The new state-of-the-art facility will deliver significant efficiency gains to Smithfield's operations and solidify the company's presence in the area for years to come.

The details

The new combined fresh pork and packaged meats facility will be built in Foundation Park, a 1,000+-acre heavy industrial park in northwest Sioux Falls. It will feature highly efficient process flow, advanced automation technology, and a streamlined design. Site work is expected to begin in spring 2026, with groundbreaking in the first half of 2027 and production starting by the end of 2028.

  • Smithfield announced the proposed investment on February 16, 2026.
  • Site work is expected to begin in spring 2026.
  • Groundbreaking is anticipated in the first half of 2027.
  • Production at the new facility is expected to begin by the end of 2028.

The players

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

An American food company and an industry leader in value-added packaged meats and fresh pork.

Foundation Park

A 1,000+-acre heavy industrial park located in northwest Sioux Falls, where the new Smithfield facility will be built.

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What’s next

Smithfield's proposed investment is contingent on securing required permits and other regulatory approvals, as well as final approval of the facility design by the company's board of directors.

The takeaway

Smithfield's decision to build a new state-of-the-art processing plant in Sioux Falls underscores the city's continued importance as a regional hub for the food processing industry. The $1.3 billion investment will help secure thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the local economy for years to come.