Major expansion of Bel Brands plant in Brookings

BROOKINGS, SD (KELO.com) — Bel Brands is going to work on a 200-million dollar expansion in Brookings, creating 150 new jobs in the process.  The company broke ground on the expansion project Wednesday.  Mayor Ope Niemeyer says the expansion will create $1.8-million worth of economic activity through construction jobs, and contribute $280-million annually to the regional economy when the new facility enters production. Capacity will double to 20-thousand tons of the popular Babybel cheese packets per year.  In case you’re curious, that’s 3.2-million Babybels per day.