Following the trend towards establishing small meat packing plants to serve local ranchers, the Cherokee Nation will expand an existing plant in Tahlequah, OK to 15,000 square feet. The plant will be capable of processing cattle, pigs and deer in addition to bison from the Tribal herd. Initially the plant will operate as a custom processor but later will conform to the 
requirements for state inspection.
Similar projects can be anticipated by tribal authorities and cooperatives based on concern over reliance on progressively fewer and larger mega-packing facilities.