Smithfield Foods added three production lines to their St. James facility in March 2022. Smithfield Foods created 140 jobs with the added production lines. They invested upwards of $800,000 to expand their parking lot.
Over the span of 3 years the EDA worked with Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership on a grant that solved community development issues with art and creative strategies.
The EDA was instrumental in spearheading Discover St. James- a collaborative community marketing strategy between the EDA, the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).
Collage St. James is one of many businesses in Watonwan County that have taken advantage of the low interest gap financing that is available through the St. James EDA.