July 8, 2022

A group opposing the effort to build a pork processing plant in northeast Sioux Falls reports gathering more than enough signatures to put an ordinance to ban it on the ballot.

Smart Growth Sioux Falls is proposing that any new slaughterhouses be banned within the city limits. The measure would be voted on this November assuming the signatures are verified.

Wholestone Farms purchased 170 acres off Interstate 229 and Benson Road for a $500 million pork processing plant that would be owned by area pork producers.

“Collecting this many signatures, far above the 6,089 required, in such a short time frame demonstrates the high level of concern Sioux Falls residents have about adding more slaughterhouses within our city,” said Robert Peterson, a Sioux Falls native and treasurer of Smart Growth Sioux Falls.

“In fact, a recent survey showed that 78 percent of voters support this update to the city code. Massive new slaughterhouses can and should be sited outside of city limits – closer to the farmers they serve, and away from business, residential, and recreational areas where they would do more harm than good. It’s time to let voters decide.”

The proposed ordinance does not apply to existing pork processor Smithfield Foods or any effort by Smithfield to expand at its downtown location.