The Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA) Recruits Its Largest Project in 30-year History

(Abilene, TX) – Friday morning, the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA) presented “Project Legacy” to the City Council of Abilene for approval of a $33.3 million incentive package. The City Council’s approval of “Project Legacy,” the code name given during the recruitment process of Great Lakes Cheese (GLC) to ensure confidentiality, enables the DCOA to finalize negotiations with GLC to build and open a new, state-of-the-art, cheese packaging plant in Abilene. The $184.5 million project will be located in Access Business Park near the intersection of Highway 36 and FM 18.

In addition to the funding approved by the City Council, this project benefits from receiving both a Veteran’s Fund and a Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant from the office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. TEF awards are deal-closing grants given to companies considering locating to Texas from competing out-of-state sites.

“I am extremely proud of our team and all of those who are working hard to make this partnership a reality,” said Misty Mayo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the DCOA. “This is exactly the kind of opportunity the DCOA is tasked to find and win for our community, and we are finalizing a deal that will bring tremendous opportunity to Abilene.”

According to an economic impact study by the University of Texas at San Antonio, GLC’s presence in Abilene will provide enormous benefits by increasing both jobs and capital investment. It is estimated that GLC will invest $184.5 million in the community, meaning that for every $1.00 the DCOA invests in the company through the incentive package, GLC invests $12.00 back into Abilene through initial capital investment, property taxes, school taxes, sales taxes, and wages.

“A successful partnership with Great Lakes Cheese will benefit Abilene and the state of Texas by creating opportunities for generations to come,” said Mayor Anthony Williams. “We give additional thanks to the office of Governor Abbott for its recognition of this partnership.”

“We are proud to welcome Great Lakes Cheese to the state of Texas, and we are excited for the impact that this company will have on Abilene’s economic success,” said Governor Abbot. “Great Lakes Cheese joins the ranks of thousands of companies that have chosen to invest in the Lone Star State. Our model of low taxes, reasonable regulations, and incredible workforce continue to attract investments that keep Texas the best state for business.”

The company is projected to employ over 500 people from Abilene. “These job opportunities are critical for the community’s future. They truly care about their employees and this is just one more reason we are working to finalize this partnership. We look forward to officially welcoming GLC to its newest home in Abilene,” Mayo continued.

“This is a huge win for all of Abilene. The economic impact study showcases just how large and beneficial this project will be for Abilene and we are thankful for the City Council’s approval of this project,” said Jack Rich, DCOA Board Chair. “While the numbers are impressive, the value goes beyond this. Great Lakes Cheese is a great match for Abilene given the company’s long-standing track record of investing in thriving communities and the core values the company represents.”

Great Lakes Cheese is an award-winning manufacturer and packager of natural and processed bulk, shredded, and sliced cheeses. As the country’s largest natural cheese packager, Great Lakes Cheese serves grocery, club, and super stores, restaurant chains, and foodservice distributors. The company has a national footprint with facilities in Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin. Family- and employee-owned, Great Lakes Cheese celebrated its 60th year of business in 2018.

“Great Lakes Cheese makes decisions with a long-term perspective, one that spans generations,” Chief Executive Officer Dan Zagzebski said. “We are honored to be welcomed by Texas and invited to bring our ownership culture to the Abilene community. We look forward to meeting our newest employee-owners and being another great place to work in the region.”

About the Development Corporation of Abilene

As the economic driver of Abilene, the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA) is committed to recruiting and retaining companies for Abilene. The DCOA provides incentives and assistance to Abilene businesses to build and strengthen the local economy – ensuring the viability of the community for years to come. Learn more about the DCOA online at: www.abilenedcoa.com.

About DevelopAbilene

DevelopAbilene is a unified brand for the Development Corporation of Abilene’s (DCOA) partner organizations that work together to bring business to Abilene. DevelopAbilene is led by the DCOA, empowering partner organizations to implement key strategies to create primary jobs and prosperity in Abilene. The DevelopAbilene Team consists of the Abilene Industrial Foundation, Abilene Regional Airport, Military Affairs Committee, and the Texas Tech Small Business Development Center.

About Abilene

Abilene, Texas is centrally located in the state, directly on I-20 just a two and half hours from the Dallas/Fort Worth metro. The city has a population of 121,512 people, and has a labor shed of over 140,000.