MITCHELL, S.D. — On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, South Dakota Soybean Processors, along with project partners, investors, and state and local officials, hosted a private grand opening ceremony and celebration for their new High Plains Processing plant south of Mitchell, South Dakota. This project, which began construction in September of 2023, marks the largest agricultural project in South Dakota history.

“Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marks more than just the opening of a new facility. It marks a new era of opportunity for producers across our state,” said South Dakota Soybean Processors CEO Tom Kersting. “This multi-seed processing plant is a game-changer for our agricultural community. It not only brings additional value-added processing into the state, but by doing so, it also reduces transportation costs, increases local demand, and provides greater market stability for our soybean growers. The benefits will ripple across the entire ag economy.”

Nearly 1,000 guests attended Tuesday’s private tours of the facility followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, including Commissioner Bill Even from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Secretary Hunter Roberts of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Senator Casey Crabtree of South Dakota District 8, and South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden.

“South Dakota has a proud reputation of being Open for Opportunity — High Plains Processing is proof of that fact, and it is one of the largest projects in our state’s history,” said South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden. “This new facility will be a huge economic driver for the Mitchell community and a big boost to South Dakota agriculture!”

The $500 million facility has the capacity to process 35 million bushels of soybeans annually or the equivalent of one million tons of higher-oil crops. The High Plains Processing plant will provide an economic boost to not only the Mitchell area, but also the entire state of South Dakota while creating an estimated 85 full-time job opportunities and payroll of approximately $5.5 million annually.

“This plant stands as a shining example of what we can achieve when farmers, business leaders, and community members work together toward a shared goal. It’s not just a facility—it’s a legacy we’re building for the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Kersting.