Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today that a new cheese manufacturing company will be locating in Swanton, creating up to 55 jobs over the next several years. Swan Valley Cheese will occupy the former Via Cheese facility in the Swanton Town Industrial Park.
“I am very pleased to welcome Swan Valley Cheese to Vermont,” Governor Douglas said. “This new entity will not only create jobs in Swanton, but will also use milk from Vermont farms. Swan Valley Cheese will occupy a production facility that has been vacant for some time.”
The company received assistance from the Vermont Economic Development Authority and has initial approval for $384,133 worth of Vermont Employment Growth Incentives from the Vermont Economic Progress Council.
With extensive experience in the cheese-making industry, Swan Valley will produce asiago, fontina and other artisanal cheeses, as well as mozzarella.
“We are excited to be a part of Vermont’s agricultural business community,” Chris Lotito, President of Swan Valley Cheese, said. “The availability of milk, the skilled workforce and the strong support that we have received from the Town of Swanton, the Village of Swanton and the State of Vermont was critical to our decision to locate there.”
“Restarting cheese production at this plant will also provide local dairy farmers with a place to sell their products, another important boost to the local economy,” Douglas said.
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