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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Bates Family Farm Relocates-Expands Russell County, Virginia, Operations

12/28/2023
Bates Family Farm plans to relocate and expand its manufacturing operations in Russell County, Virginia. The approximately $1 million project is expected to create twelve jobs.

The 40,000-square-foot facility will allow for the development of new products, additional production capacity, and warehouse space.?In addition, the company will construct a new creamery to produce food products, bottled goat milk and artisan cheeses, for wholesale and retail distribution.

“This AFID grant award and the support we have received from Russell County are critical factors in our decision to move forward with this project. We are honored to grow our business in the county we call home and be part of Virginia’s agricultural community,” said Bates Family Farm CEO Joseph Bates.

The Governor’s office approved a $70,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which Russell County will match with local funds.

“I congratulate the Bates family on this AFID award and thank them for their investment in Russell County and Virginia agriculture. The commitment to purchasing all Virginia grown goat milk is a tremendous benefit to Virginia goat milk producers and increases the visibility of specialty product producers in Southwest Virginia,” noted Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr.

Bates Family Farm produces a full line of goat milk-based skincare products to include soap, lotion, lip balm, and body cream, that are sold in over 1,000 retail stores and specialty shops across the U.S.

“Russell County is committed to continuing to focus on agribusiness as a growing and vital part of our local economy. This project will not only create jobs and investment in the county, but also grow the business' contributions to local tax revenues,” added Russell County Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Ernie McFaddin.

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