SIOUX FALLS, SD. — On Oct. 11, Judge Sandra Hoglund Hanson put a halt to Wholestone Farms’ progress on its plans for a pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, SD.

Wholestone Farms estimated the project to cost $500 million and to employ over 1,100 workers. In addition, Wholestone planned to operate a butcher shop in Sioux Falls.

In September, Smart Growth Sioux Falls, a grassroots group of area residents that opposes new slaughterhouses in the city, filed a civil complaint against Wholestone Farms, requesting that the court deny the pork processor any permits needed to move forward with its proposed processing plant and butcher shop in Sioux Falls prior to the November 2022 election.

According to Smart Growth, the city “preemptively” issued Wholestone a permit of occupancy for its butcher shop.

The judge’s ruling will revoke all Wholestone’s permits approved by the city until Sioux Falls residents vote on the matter in November.

“We are pleased that the court decided in favor of the people of Sioux Falls, who have every right to determine whether they want new slaughterhouses as their neighbors,” Smart Growth said after the judge’s verdict.

Representatives from Wholestone Farms did not respond to a request for comment on the latest development as of publication time.