Office of the Governor
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 2, 2002
For More Information:  Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-5032

Governor Announces Dakota Pork Industries Expansion

(Pierre) – Dakota Pork Industries, a value-added pork processing facility in Mitchell, is going to modernize, expand and add 100 new jobs, Gov. Bill Janklow, announced today.

“The company plans to create 100 jobs in the next three years,” Janklow said, “but this announcement is a much bigger deal than that. This announcement is about a company’s decision to stay in South Dakota, to modernize in South Dakota and to grow in South Dakota. That’s the big news.”

The retention of this company means that the 300 plus employees at Dakota Pork, a Division of American Foods Group will keep their jobs. “When this expansion is complete, American Foods Group will be one of the largest private employers in Mitchell,” Janklow said.

The company is adding 20,000 square feet of refrigeration, production rooms, holding areas and additional equipment. “This is a $4.5 million deal,” Janklow said, “It will have a significant economic impact on this community, but more importantly it helps South Dakota retain part of its value-added livestock processing facilities.”

“Dakota Pork Industries financial results have improved while many other companies have not. This is primarily due to its location in South Dakota,” said Carl Kuehne, CEO & Owner of American Foods Group.  “We are located close to a significant supply of raw materials, located on a major access to the Northwest US and have a dependable and committed labor force and community to support our efforts. Our expansion will help us to produce products meeting much more stringent guidelines for food safety while expanding our production capacities,” Kuehne added.

“We view this as a very positive development for our community and region,” said Don Peterson, President, Mitchell Area Development Corporation. “We want to thank the Governor and his team for their leadership on this project and we want to note our appreciation to the company ownership and management for making this commitment to expand, grow and invest in the Mitchell community,” Peterson concluded.

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