The construction at the new Hilmar Cheese plant in Dalhart, Texas is finished. The company held a one-time only open house for the public today.
This will be the only time the plant will be open to the public due to sanitation concerns, said Denise Skidmore, director of education and public relations. State and local dignitaries are expected as are representatives of the three generations of families that own Hilmar and the High Plains Dairy Council.
Work started in earnest on the facility in March 2006. It covers about 200,000 square feet and will initially process 250,000 gallons of milk daily. Hilmar is planning to spend $190 million over 10 years on the plant, Skidmore said.
State and local entities funded an incentive package that put the factory in Dalhart. Some of the top incentives include $20 million from the Texas Capital Fund, $12.2 million in grants, tax credits and abatements from Dalhart entities, $7.5 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund and $5 million from the Amarillo Economic Development Corp.