Nevada dairy industry could grow with manufacturing facility
By Yun Long, Reno Gazette-Journal
The dairy industry in Nevada is getting a boost with a new dry dairy ingredient-manufacturing facility under construction in Fallon.
Dairy Farmers of America Inc., a national cooperative of about 15,000 dairy farmers, is building the $70 million state-of-the-art facility that will be able to produce dried dairy ingredients, such as whole milk powder.
“It going to be a great thing for Nevada export products,” said Bob Shriver, an economic development consultant for the city of Fallon. “It’s got long-range benefits for the area. Because of this, it could attract a lot of other potential industries and enhance the community of Fallon in general.”
The plant is scheduled to be completed in summer 2013 and employ at least 40 people full-time, mostly in the production area.
The 150,000-square-foot facility will be able to process 2 million pounds of raw milk and make about 250,000 pounds of dried dairy ingredients daily for domestic and global customers. The facility is located on a 31.5-acre parcel in Fallon’s New River Business Park.
“We chose to build an ingredient facility in Fallon because the area is already home to a vibrant dairy industry,” Glenn Wallace, chief operating officer for the company’s ingredient division, said in an email. “We are confident this is a good opportunity for us to put a facility in a place where we can be successful.”
Several factors contributed to the plant’s location, including proximity to major international ports, a dedicated dairy supply and opportunities for expansion.
Twenty-two dairies are in the Fallon area, but with the completion of the plant, Shriver sees an increase in the number of dairy cattle and more dairymen to fulfill the increasing needs of the plant.
