Company set to boost investments
in New Mexico and add 150 jobs
Saputo Dairy USA, one of the largest cheese and dairy food producers in the U.S., has been awarded economic assistance in New Mexico to expand its Las Cruces manufacturing operations at the Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park.
Saputo will add 150 employees said New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes, on Tuesday, May 12.
As part of the expansion, Saputo Dairy USA is planning to invest as much as $30 million in its existing facility on the City’s West Mesa.
To support the company’s growth, the State of New Mexico has committed $2.5 million from the Local Economic Development Act job-creators fun, including a $1 million bonus for developing the project in an Opportunity Zone. The City of Las Cruces has 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 during 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.
Keyes added, “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.”
Mayor Ken Miyagishima said, “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Saputo Dairy USA’s expansion in Las Cruces. 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 at more than the minimum 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,” said Davin Lopez, MVEDA president and chief executive officer.
Saputo Dairy USA is part of Saputo Inc., one of the world’s top 100 dairy processors, founded in Montreal, Canada in 1954. Saputo Inc. has operations in Canada, the U.S., Australia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, with products sold in more than 50 countries. Saputo Inc. shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SAP.