Gov. Tony Evers announced that the state of Wisconsin will be supporting the expansion of Agropur Dairy Cooperative in Little Chute with up to $4.5 million in business tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Agropur, one of the world’s largest dairy suppliers, will be building a new $168 million state-of-the-art cheese factory in Little Chute that will set the company up for future success in Wisconsin by investing in the latest cheesemaking technology and making room for growth. Agropur will be eligible for up to $4.5 million in business tax credits over the next four years based on meeting hiring and capital expenditure goals.
“From our farmers and cheesemakers and the folks in the dairy supply chain to the workers who will help build this expansion, to the Wisconsin cheese consumers and enthusiasts everywhere, this investment will be felt far beyond the farm,” said Gov. Evers. “This project is great news for our economy and for Wisconsin, and on behalf of our great state, we are thrilled to support Agropur’s investment in America’s Dairyland and in the future of the dairy industry.”
Agropur is the largest dairy cooperative in North America and one of the top 20 dairy producers in the world. In Wisconsin, Agropur operates facilities in La Crosse, Appleton, Little Chute, Weyauwega, and Luxemburg, employing about 850 employees. With this project, the cooperative anticipates spending nearly $60 million more a year on milk from Wisconsin farms and creating at least 54 new full-time jobs.
The governor was joined for the announcement by WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes and Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski while visiting a family dairy farm in Seymour.
“Wisconsin is uniquely positioned to help Agropur develop new products and succeed in the dairy industry,” Secretary and CEO Hughes said. “In turn, Agropur invests in our dairy farms, pays family-sustaining wages and through the company’s charity work helps ensure access to healthy food for our communities.”
Source: Wisconsin State Farmer