Saputo Dairy USA, one of the largest cheese and dairy foods producers in the United States, has been awarded state economic assistance to expand its Las Cruces manufacturing operation and add 150 employees, New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced.
As part of the expansion, Saputo Dairy USA is planning to invest up to $30 million in its existing facility at the Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park.
To support the company's growth, the State of New Mexico has committed $2.5 million from the LEDA job-creators fund, including a $1 million bonus for developing the project in an Opportunity Zone, and the City of Las Cruces pledged $300,000. The Las Cruces City Council will also consider an Industrial Revenue Bond. The expansion is expected to have a total positive economic impact to the state of $1.6 billion over the next decade.
“The expansion of Saputo Dairy USA in Las Cruces with 150 new jobs demonstrates again that Southern New Mexico has a skilled workforce and is a great place, not only to live, but for businesses to grow and expand,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said.
“Southern New Mexico is expanding its manufacturing footprint quickly. The expansion of Saputo Dairy USA's facility will create the jobs we need to diversify our economy and get people back to work as we recover from this pandemic,” Secretary Keyes said.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Saputo Dairy USA's expansion in Las Cruces,” Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima said. “The city’s efforts to proactively seek this project is another example of our commitment to growing business and creating new job opportunities for our residents.”
The company has also qualified for a state Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) Grant and the City of Las Cruces Wage Plus Program, an incentive program for hiring and paying employees above the median wage.
The Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA) worked closely with Saputo Dairy USA, along with the state's and city’s economic development teams, to create an incentive package aligned with the company’s needs to expand its capabilities in Las Cruces.
“MVEDA is excited that Saputo Dairy USA has chosen the Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park for this project. Our collaborative, proactive response with our economic development partners at the state and city highlighted a joint effort to secure this project and further establish the industrial park as the location of choice for growth in the Southwestern United States,” MVEDA President & CEO Davin Lopez said.
Saputo Dairy USA is part of Saputo Inc., one of the world's top 10 dairy processors, founded in Montreal in 1954. Saputo Inc. has operations in Canada, the United States, Australia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, with products sold in over 50 countries.
Saputo Inc. shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SAP.