The plant that produces the red-wax covered cheeses in Brookings is set to expand its facility in the spring.
Officials say the addition will help the company double its cheese output.
The Bel Brands facility in Brookings makes the Babybel cheese — the single serve cheese snacks about the size of a half dollar.
The company has its origins in France and arrived in America in 1970. It opened its facility in Brookings in 2012.
Gov. Kristi Noem announced the expansion during the annual state of the state address to the state legislature. She said the company is revolutionizing agriculture.
“Our economy cannot thrive unless ag thrives. Bel Brands is doubling their production capacity," Noem said. "They will create additional markets for our ag producers and help ensure that South Dakota’s best economic days are still ahead of us.”
State Sen. Tim Reed was mayor of Brookings when Bel Brands opened its facility there about 13 years ago.
“They make 1.7 million of those every day in Brookings. And they’re going to double their output," Reed said. "Those kinds of things are very exciting.”
Reed said the state can do more to reduce regulation to create an even more business-friendly climate.
Company officials say they received tax credits to expand the facility. Officials with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development did not respond to requests on what those looked like.
“We’ve bene working very closely with the state, with Gov. Noem and her office of economic development. They’ve been very helpful and very supportive of the expansion," said Jake Anderson, plant director in Brookings. "We’re very excited to continue to work with them, here, as we start our project off.”
Others say the business climate is one of three reasons why they’re expanding the cheese factory. Another is access to people who are able to work in a highly technical and automated business. The expansion is expected to add another 100 jobs.
The third reason, according to Marc Panvie r— Senior Vice President for Operations in North America — is the region's milk.
“The quality of milk is great. We have to thank the farmers and their cows for delivering this quality of milk as cheese producers. The quality of milk, meaning the protein content, the fat level is exactly what we need," Panvier said. "This is a great place for cheese producers.”
Local farmers and cows will have to produce more milk to meet demand for the expanded facility. Bel estimates it will need an additional 650,000 pounds of milk a day.
As of January first, there are just about 233,000 mature dairy cattle spread across 52 permitted livestock barns. That’s well over double the number of dairy cows in state regulated livestock operations from ten years ago.
The bulk of those operations are located along the I-29 corridor north of Sioux Falls.
And that’s just the permitted dairy operations by the state — those below 700 diary cows do not need a permit.
Bel Plant Manager Anderson said the company will break ground on the $150 million dollar expansion in the spring.
“The hope is to start construction, here, just as soon as we can, in ’25.”
Anderson says the plant expansion should be fully operational by 2027.
