ABERDEEN, S.D. - A beef processing plant in South Dakota that has
struggled to begin operations says it has enough finances to get to full
production.
The Northern Beef Packers plant in Aberdeen began production on a limited basis
last fall.
Land for the $109 million plant was secured in 2006, but numerous
problems including financial issues, lawsuits and flooding repeatedly pushed
back the opening date.
Spokeswoman Laure Swanson tells the American News Northern Beef Packers has now
raised more than $150 million, an amount that includes the working capital the
plant needs for full operation. The plant eventually will process 1,500 cattle a
day from the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota.
Northern Beef has hired more than 350 workers and eventually will employ 500. It
also is continuing to add customers.
