ABERDEEN, S.D. – The developer of a new, $40 million Northern Beef Packers packing plant being built just south of Aberdeen is optimistic it will open in August or September of 2009, according to The Associated Press. Dennis Hellwig said the plant will initially process 200 to 300 head of cattle daily, but it is designed to handle up to 1,500 head per day.

The recession and packing plants recently closing in other states should make it easier to hire workers, he added. Full production will require 500 to 550 workers.

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