Press Room > 2004 :

Dakota Turkey Growers Announces South Dakota Plant Location

RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, April 14, 2004

For More Information Contact: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301

Pierre, SD – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today that Huron will be the home of Dakota Turkey Growers new $45 million turkey processing plant.

“The decision was based on the community’s ability to meet project needs,” said Gov. Rounds.  “Huron had the land and infrastructure, along with the ability to meet environmental and social parameters.”

Board chairman Jeff Sveen and president/CEO Ken Rutledge said they were impressed with the aggressive approach of Aberdeen and Huron, along with the thorough proposals the two communities submitted. 

“The final decision boiled down to the community our board felt could best address the economic aspects of our business,” Sveen said.

Rounds said this project is an example of agricultural development goals outlined in his 2010 Initiative.  “A group of producers recognized the need to maintain ownership of their product and to participate in the processing, allowing them to keep more of the profits in our state,” said Rounds.  “Now, we are not only growing nearly five million turkeys annually, but we’ll be processing them within our borders as well.”

Dakota Turkey Growers is working to finalize facility engineering plans, financing and markets for the plant that will have a capacity to process up to eight million birds a year.  They will partner with Huron to ensure success when the plant comes online at the end of 2005. 

For more information on the Dakota Turkey Growers project, contact Mary Lehecka Nelson, Office of Economic Development, at (605) 773-3301.