Westby, Wisc. — Officials announced Tuesday that Westby Cooperative Creamery, the only cottage cheese manufacturer in Wisconsin, will expand and modernize its facility thanks to a $15.5 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funding comes through the Rural Development Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program in partnership with Security Financial Bank.
The project aims to modernize aging infrastructure, increase production to meet rising consumer demand, improve efficiency, and enhance food and employee safety, while ensuring long-term stability for the cooperative’s member-owners.
Rural Prosperity and Job Creation
According to Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson, the investment will bolster rural prosperity in Wisconsin, supporting cooperatives, local farmers, and dairy production. Officials estimate the project will create and support 150 jobs, providing significant economic benefits to the surrounding community.
Facility Upgrades and Modernization
The expansion will include several key improvements:
- A new food-grade room within the existing facility
- Four fully enclosed cottage cheese vats, each producing up to 5,700 pounds per run
- Two cream tanks with 10,000-gallon capacity
- A new 30,000-gallon milk silo, sourced locally in Wisconsin
- Upgraded refrigeration, sanitation, and auxiliary equipment
These updates are expected to streamline production, reduce processing time, and increase overall output.
Operational Benefits of the Expansion
Once complete, Westby Cooperative Creamery will implement enclosed automated systems for ingredients, testing, and sanitation. Additional benefits include:
- High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)-filtered environments for improved food safety
- Reduced production time from 16 hours to 8 hours per batch
- Increased yield, producing 10%–15% more cottage cheese from the same amount of milk
These improvements are designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and productivity for both employees and the cooperative’s members, as per the reports.
Supporting Member-Owned Cooperatives
Westby Cooperative Creamery, like other cooperatives, is owned and managed by its members to serve shared needs, including sustaining local agriculture and producing high-quality dairy products.
Officials say that investments like this reinforce Wisconsin’s leadership in dairy production while supporting rural jobs and community growth.
Your Turn
Are you a Wisconsin resident or cottage cheese fan excited about this expansion? Share your thoughts, reactions, or local dairy experiences in the comments below.
