3M Embarks on $158 Million Expansion, Anticipates $400 Million Investment in South Dakota Plant

3M, one of South Dakota’s major employers with over 1,000 workers, held a groundbreaking ceremony this week for a substantial expansion project in Brookings.

The $158 million investment, set to continue over the next three years, has the potential to reach a total investment of over $400 million.

The expansion includes the addition of 16 shipping docks, growth in warehousing, and increased manufacturing, laboratory, and office space.

As a long-standing presence in the Brookings community since 1971, this growth is seen as a significant development as 3M prepares for a transition, with its healthcare division becoming an independent company.

This expansion will provide the capacity to produce more healthcare products and bolster the company’s position in the global med-tech industry.

The Brookings facility is already 3M’s largest producer of healthcare products, and this expansion is expected to further enhance its production capabilities.