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A long-delayed South Dakota beef-processing plant may slaughter up to five cattle soon to test equipment after getting a permit from the city of Aberdeen.
The city issued North Beef Packers a temporary certificate of occupancy on Thursday.
Aberdeen planning and zoning director Brett Bill says the plant will need a permanent certificate of occupancy and some other permits before it can begin full processing operations.
North Beef has been working to open the plant, which will process 1,500 head of cattle a day at full production.
Land for the $109 million plant was secured in 2006. But financial issues, lawsuits, flooding, an economic downturn and other problems have pushed back the opening date.