Agropur Inc., a North American processer of dairy products, is investing more than $55 million in its Weyauwega, Wisconsin, facility to increase its Feta cheese production capacity.
The expansion, which is being undertaken to meet the growing demand for Agropur’s Feta cheese, is now under way and expected to be completed in 2016. The expansion is expected to create about 22 new jobs.
“I congratulate Agropur and applaud them for deciding to embark on this major expansion in Wisconsin,” said Governor Scott Walker. “Not only is Wisconsin the top cheese-producing state in the country, but the state has an international reputation for quality dairy products. The expansion will help to further that reputation.”
“There is a lot of tradition, skill and work ethic among our employees, and we are recognized in the market for having high-quality products,” said Doug Simon, president of the USA Cheese Business Unit for Agropur.
“We are a leader in Feta cheese production, and this will allow us to maintain that leadership position. We are very excited about this investment and in the future of the Wisconsin dairy industry as it provides employment opportunities and a stable home for milk produced in the area.”
Agropur CEO Robert Coallier added, “This Agropur investment truly shows how committed we are to establishing our leadership in the U.S. market and to the future of the Wisconsin dairy industry.”
To help ensure that the Canadian company expanded in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is providing Agropur with $1.65 million in Economic Development Tax Credits over the next few years. In order to receive the full credits, Agropur must retain the existing 146 jobs at the facility, create 22 new jobs and invest at least $55 million in capital investment.
“WEDC is pleased to be able to assist Agropur in strengthening its already strong position in the dairy industry and cheese production,” said Reed Hall, secretary and CEO of WEDC, a economic development agency.
“Wisconsin produces so much cheese that if the state was a country, it would rank fourth in the world in total cheese production – behind the United States, Germany and France.”
Agropur has four plants in Wisconsin and eight in the rest of the U.S. PD
—From the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation news release
