SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - South Dakota has added 4,500 new manufacturing jobs in the last four years.
Commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development Pat Costello says there can be a perception that manufacturing jobs can be dirty and dangerous.
But Costello says manufacturing jobs have evolved much like the products they make into high tech careers for South Dakotans.
He says the average manufacturing position in South Dakota pays over $42,000 a year with great benefits. He says that payroll adds up to almost $2 billion dollars and 10% of South Dakota's workforce.
Costello says there's a grand opening Friday at Bel Brands in Brookings where 250 workers make 1.5 million mini Babydel cheeses a day.