Smithfield Foods to Move Sioux Falls Plant After 117 Years

New state-of-the-art facility to replace century-old downtown plant, unlocking redevelopment opportunity

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Smithfield Foods has announced plans to build a brand-new, 1.1 million-square-foot pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to replace its current century-old downtown plant. The $500 million investment will be the largest business investment in South Dakota's history and is expected to benefit local producers and support thousands of jobs for generations to come. The move out of downtown will also create a major redevelopment opportunity for the city.

Why it matters

Smithfield's century-long presence in Sioux Falls has made it a cornerstone of the community and local economy. This major investment reaffirms the company's long-term commitment to the region, supporting the agricultural industry and preserving thousands of jobs. The redevelopment of the existing downtown site also unlocks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform that area of Sioux Falls.

The details

The new state-of-the-art facility will be built in Foundation Park at the I-29 and I-90 intersection, featuring advanced automation and cutting-edge technology. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with operations launching by late 2028. The facility will process more hogs than the current 20,000 daily capacity, benefiting local producers across South Dakota and surrounding states. The 3,200 existing employees will transition to higher-skilled positions in what will be the most modern combined packaged meats and fresh pork facility in the country.

  • Smithfield Foods announced the plans on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • Construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
  • The new facility is expected to begin operations by late 2028.

The players

Smithfield Foods

A major pork processing company that has had a presence in Sioux Falls for over 100 years.

Paul TenHaken

The mayor of Sioux Falls, who called the announcement a "historic moment" for the city and state.

Shane Smith

The President and CEO of Smithfield Foods, who described the investment as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for Sioux Falls, Smithfield's employees, and local producers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Today's announcement marks a historic moment for our city and state. For more than a century, Smithfield has been a cornerstone of our community, and this new, state-of-the-art facility reaffirms their long-term commitment to Sioux Falls and the region, supporting our ag economy and thousands of local jobs for generations to come.”

— Paul TenHaken, Mayor of Sioux Falls (kikn.com)

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Sioux Falls, for Smithfield's employees, and the many farmers who supply hogs and grain to our operations.”

— Shane Smith, President and CEO of Smithfield Foods (kikn.com)

What’s next

Construction on the new Smithfield Foods facility in Sioux Falls is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with operations launching by late 2028.

The takeaway

Smithfield Foods' major investment in a new state-of-the-art pork processing facility in Sioux Falls reaffirms the company's long-standing commitment to the community and the region's agricultural economy. The move out of downtown also unlocks a transformative redevelopment opportunity for the city, showcasing how legacy businesses can evolve to support both their operations and the broader community.