S.D. beef plant behind on taxes

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — According to Brown County records, Northern Beef Packers, which is building a beef processing plant south of Aberdeen, has not paid $62,000 in property taxes due April 30.

The plant's main investor, Dennis Hellwig, says Northern Beef hopes to pay the past-due amount by the end of August. If it doesn't happen then, he says all the 2009 property taxes — $124,006.30 — will be paid yet this year. The second half is due by Oct. 31.

The plant also owes a penalty of more than $2,000 if the delinquent amount is paid by the end of August.

Sixteen liens totaling more than $13 million have been filed against the plant. A lien is a legal claim to have a bill paid.

Developers say the plant eventually could have 550 workers processing 1,500 head of cattle a day.

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