Smithfield Foods is investing nearly $45 million in its Sioux Falls operations. The expansion includes rebuilding a state-of-the-art hog barn and is designed to meet growing U.S. bacon sales and export demand for ground seasoned pork. With the expansion the company is adding 70 new jobs to the Sioux Falls facility which already has 3,600 employees. South Dakota Pork Producers Council Executive Director Glenn Muller says it’s an exciting development for South Dakota and the region’s pork industry.

He says the pork industry has been and continues to see increased demand for bacon.

Muller says construction on the expanded facility is already visible and the project is an example of growing economic development in the region.

Smithfield is renovating its hog barn which will be complete in the early fall of 2019. The new barn’s features and design will reflect leading animal handling practices, including automatic climate control systems.