POET expresses support for proposed prison site
Aug. 12, 2025
Another corporate neighbor of the future South Dakota men’s prison is expressing support for it.
POET released a statement today about the plan.
“POET and our Sioux Falls-based leadership team understand the state’s need for a new penitentiary and welcome its siting to northwest Sioux Falls,” said Joshua Shields, senior vice president of corporate affairs.
“We support the recent Prison Task Force’s site selection process and final results.”
Late last week, Gov. Larry Rhoden announced that the state had entered into a purchase agreement for land east of Interstate 229 and between Benson Road and Gage Brothers Concrete Products.
It’s about 2 miles from POET’s corporate headquarters. The company previously had opposed construction of a pork processing facility on a different site nearby.
Gage Brothers previously had voiced support for the prison site.
“We’re not opposed to the prison as a neighbor,” Gage Brothers president Joe Bunkers said. “I don’t think that’s going to translate into major problems for my company.”
His company is hoping to be involved in building the new prison and potentially sees workforce opportunities through partnerships there, he previously said.
The state will complete the purchase only if approval to acquire the site is granted by the South Dakota Legislature.
