Around 1,000 people gathered at the new High Plains Processing plant to celebrate its completion.
Governor Larry Rhoden praised the investment. “It’s just part and parcel with what we’ve done in South Dakota,” said Rhoden. “We’ve adapted and we’ve diversified, and that just gives us more options. It gives the producers and the plant managers more options.”
He also is standing firm on moving forward with economic development despite critics. “I just think that’s a dangerous trend, and people are talking about going backwards in our economy,” the Governor pointed out. “And we have a lot going for us in South Dakota, our economy’s been booming. And we’ve been reaping benefits because of that.”
Rhoden said he’ll keep pursuing further economic development opportunities as long as he’s Governor.
The High Plains Processing facility is set to go online in October. It’s capable capable of processing 35-million bushels of soybeans annually or the equivalent of one million tons of higher-oil crops.
High Plains will operate 24 hours a day employing around 80 people.