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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Great Lakes Cheese Plans Abilene, Texas, Packaging and Distribution Hub

04/19/2021
Great Lakes Cheese will establish a new 280,000 square foot packaging and distribution facility in Abilene, Texas. The $185 million project will create over 500 new jobs.

The facility will be located at Access Business Park near the intersection of Highway 36 and FM 18. The company will begin campaigning as early as May, hiring some employees later this year, with a larger hiring phase in 2022, company officials said.

“Great Lakes Cheese is a family business built on the values of hard work, honesty, and integrity," CEO Dan Zagzebski said. “These values continue to support our long-term growth in the dairy industry, and help us identify the employee-owners, customers, suppliers, and communities that align with our culture. We feel fortunate to have found that fit with Abilene, and are proud to welcome Texans into our Great Lakes Cheese Family.”

A Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $3,000,000 has been extended to Great Lakes Cheese.

"We are proud to welcome Great Lakes Cheese to the state of Texas, and we are excited for the impact that this company will have on Abilene's economic success," said Governor Greg Abbott. "Great Lakes Cheese joins the ranks of thousands of companies that have chosen to invest in the Lone Star State. Our model of low taxes, reasonable regulations, and incredible workforce continue to attract investments that keep Texas the best state for business."

According to an economic impact study by the University of Texas at San Antonio, it's estimated that for every dollar the Development Corporation of Abilene invests, Great Lakes Cheese will invest $12 back into the community in the form of capital investment, property tax, school tax, sales tax and wages.

“I am so proud of our determined economic development team and all of those who are working hard to make this partnership with Great Lakes Cheese a reality. With a projected creation of over 500 high-paying jobs, these opportunities are critical for Abilene’s future and we look forward to officially welcoming Great Lakes Cheese to its newest home in Abilene, Texas,” said Misty Mayo, President and CEO of the Development Corporation of Abilene.

Great Lakes Cheese is a manufacturer and packager of natural and processed bulk, shredded, and sliced cheeses. The company supplies 25 percent of all packaged cheese consumed in America from its eight plants operating across five states.

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