Area Development
A manufacturer and packer of natural and processed bulk, shredded, and sliced cheeses, Great Lakes Cheese, will invest $100 million to open its first Southeast manufacturing facility at the Manchester Industrial Park in Manchester, Tennessee, with plans to create over 200 new jobs in Coffee County.

The Ohio-based company will construct a 330,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Manchester. The new facility will be the 4th super plant that Great Lakes Cheese operates and its 9th facility nationwide.

“The decision to open another super plant is a measure of our commitment to delivering quality cheese products to our customers who count on Great Lakes for logistical efficiencies,” Vice President of Operations for Great Lakes Craig Filkouski said. “We believe that having strategically placed manufacturing facilities is essential to serving the evolving needs of our customers and to provide opportunities for future growth.”

Gov. Bill Haslam said, “It speaks very highly of our state’s qualified and dedicated workforce when a company decides to expand here in Tennessee. I appreciate Great Lakes Cheese’s confidence in our state as they help us toward our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

“Tennessee’s ideal location, first-class infrastructure and unparalleled logistical advantages allows companies like Great Lakes Cheese to feel confident in their decision to open a new facility here that will yield a high return on investment,” Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said.

“I am extremely excited that Great Lakes Cheese has selected the Manchester Industrial Park as the site for their new plant,” Coffee County Industrial Board Chairman Bill Comer said. “This huge operation is a great first occupant of the park and will provide many high quality jobs for area residents. This successful recruitment was the result of a cooperative effort among the Coffee County Industrial Board, the Coffee County Commission, and the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen.”

"TVA and Duck River EMC are pleased to welcome Great Lakes Cheese as they announce plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Manchester,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “It’s always a great day when companies announce major investments and jobs in our region. The strong partnerships like those we have with the state of Tennessee, city of Manchester, and the Coffee County Industrial Board continue to facilitate decisions by companies to locate and grow in our communities."