Bel Brands USA to build $100 million cheese plant in South Dakota

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Bel Brands USA announced that it will invest more than $100 million to build a cheese manufacturing plant in Brookings, S.D., The Argus Leader reported.

The 170,000-square-foot facility will be fully operational by 2014 with 200 employees.

The second phase of the project is expected to begin after 2016 and bring 200 more jobs, according to the story.

“We’ve been impressed with the state of South Dakota,” said the company’s CEO and President Lance Chambers. “The robust dairy industry that will provide raw materials, the economic development and support, and the world-class dairy facilities and dairy research (at South Dakota State University). We think there’s great synergies and partnership possibilities in working with (SDSU).”