SIOUX CITY – Smithfield, Va.-based Smithfield Foods, parent company of John Morrell, closed its Morrell hog processing plant in the Sioux City Stockyards in April 2010. This fall, demolition began on the 1950s-era John Morrell pork processing plant. Next spring, Global Foods Processing Inc. begins construction on a new $10 million plant, which is scheduled to open in 2013.

This new facility will allow Global to expand its pork products operation. The new plant will be located in a new, landscaped business park, which was the site of the former Morrell site, according to the Sioux City Journal. Once operating and in high gear, the new plant will double the size of Global Foods workforce, which is currently 175 people.

Several steps were taken by Sioux City to make the land available on the 23-acre site at 1200 Bluff St. The city paid only $12 to obtain the deed to the Morrell plant and land in March. The city also received a $2 million federal grant to pay for demolishing and cleaning-up the site. Arvada, Colo.-based Recycle Materials Inc. was awarded the demolition contract.

The new plant, which will not slaughter hogs, will allow family-owned Global to expand production of its loins and other value-added pork products for its customers. More than 85 percent of its business is currently done in overseas markets.