The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, which produces 80 tons of cheese curds a day, is getting a boost from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) for the expansion of its facility in western Wisconsin.
The creamery, which was founded in 1910, has been authorized by WEDC to receive up to $175,000 in state tax credits for the 28,500-square-foot expansion of its plant in Ellsworth, which is known as the “Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin.” The expansion project is expected to create 14 new jobs.
The expansion includes a 28,000-square-foot building that will be used for packaging of cheese products as well as additional cooler and dry storage space. The expansion will enable the creamery to purchase additional equipment needed to keep up with the growing demand for its cheese curds and cut cheese products.
“We’ve outgrown our space,” said Paul Bauer, manager of the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery. “These tax credits helped this project move forward, allowing us to expand employment opportunities and grow our market share outside of the state, both domestically and internationally.”
“Wisconsin is the top cheese-producing state in the nation, and the success of businesses like the Ellsworth Creamery is crucial to ensuring the industry remains strong,” said Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “We are pleased to be able to support this expansion, which is good news for Pierce County and the region, as well as the entire dairy industry.”
Under WEDC’s Business Development Tax Credit Program, the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery can earn up to $175,000 in tax credits over a three-year period. The actual amount of credits earned is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment the company makes during that time frame. Since the Business Development Tax Credit Program was created last year, WEDC has awarded $15 million in tax credits to 40 companies throughout the state for projects expected to create or retain more than 7,000 jobs and generate $400 million in capital investment.
“The support of the WEDC affirms Wisconsin’s commitment to our business and agriculture overall. To us, this project is about more than square footage; we’re building a stronger dairy infrastructure for our employees, member owners and community,” add Bauer.
Ellsworth Creamery also has participated in several trade trips to China and southeast Asia sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). In addition to increasing overseas awareness of its own products, the creamery has been a strong advocate for increasing market share for all Wisconsin cheeses and dairy products on those trips.
“Their curds are a local favorite, but they have found favor in other countries as well,” said DATCP Secretary Ben Brancel. “I applaud Ellsworth for not only this expansion, but for its continuing efforts to promote the dairy industry around the world.”
About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.
About the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery
The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery was founded in 1910 to sell eggs and manufacture butter, and began making cheese in 1966. Two years later, the creamery began selling packaged cheese curds, which are sold at stores nationwide, online and internationally. The creamery has about 450 dairy farm family owners in Wisconsin and Minnesota who produce the milk used to manufacture its products. For more information, visit www.ellsworthcheese.com. You can also join the creamery’s active community on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @CheeseCurdsWI.