New meat packing plant may be on the way to New Underwood, Box Elder area

Residents of the New Underwood, Box Elder area could see a meat packing plant moving in soon.

“It’s about three and a half years ago, we started this effort to try and find the right format, right square footage, right location logistically where it all matters,” co-owner of Wall Meats, Ken Charfauros, said.

Wednesday, Charfauros gave an update to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Alliance on the progress of a new meat packing plant expected to come to the area. Charfauros believes there is a need for more packing plants in South Dakota.

“South Dakota processing capacity is actually less than Puerto Rico, but South Dakota is almost fourth or fifth in the nation to raise cattle,” Charfauros said.

He says the new I-90 Meats facility would create 36 to 50 full-time jobs and bring 4,000 additional processing services to regional agriculture in West River. Construction would cost more than $18 million.

Charfauros feels the plant would benefit local ranchers.

“Accessibility is key to our ranchers, you know the north 34, New Underwood Road connects to 34, it also connects to (Highway) 44. So, it’s accessible to our producers to reach us in New Underwood,” Charfauros said.