As many as 1,450 jobs may be lost in Sioux City as meatpacking plant shuts its doors

Sioux City meatpacking plant closes; 1,450 jobs

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A meat producing company says it will shut down a plant in Sioux City, Iowa, potentially eliminating about 1,450 jobs.

John Morrell & Co., a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods Inc., is one of the city’s largest employers.

Morrell President Joseph Sebring said Wednesday that the Sioux City plant was built in 1959 and is one of the most outdated plants run by Smithfield.

Production from the plant will be moved to Denison, Iowa, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Crete, Neb.

According to the most recent U.S. Census figures, Sioux City has about 85,000 residents.

The plant will close on April 20.