SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Smithfield Foods has announced that its Sioux Falls facility will remain closed until further notice.
The decision comes less than 24 hours after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Sioux Falls Mayer Paul TenHaken sent a joint letter to the company recommending they shut down for 14 days. The governor and mayor asked that the company provides pay and benefits to those out of work.
According to the news release from Smithfield Foods, Inc., some activity will occur at the plant on Tuesday to process inventory.
“Smithfield will resume operations in Sioux Falls once further direction is received from local, state and federal officials. The company will continue to compensate its employees for the next two weeks and hopes to keep them from joining the ranks of the tens of millions of unemployed Americans across the country,” the news release says.