Lubbock says cheese: Gov. Abbott touts Leprino plant as city's largest private investment (2024)

Gov. Greg Abbott was joined by localleaders and economic development officials on Fridayto announce plans for anew 850,000 square foot mozzarella cheese and nutrition manufacturing facility in East Lubbock County.

The project is being touted by the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance as the largest single private capital investment in Lubbock's history.

Leprino Foodsis proposing the construction of the new manufacturing plant that would process an estimated 8 million pounds of milk per day, according to documents obtained through the Texas Comptroller's Office.

The company will invest $870 million to build a manufacturing plant located on 258 acres in East Lubbock.

Abbott was joined by Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope, County Judge Curtis Parrish along with officials from LEDA, the city council and Leprino in making the announcement Friday afternoonat the FiberMax Center for Discovery Plains Cotton Room Growers Conference Center.

Abbott noted that Denver-basedLeprino is the world's leading producer of mozzarella, known for having cheese featured in products from Domino's, Papa Johns and other pizzamakers, as well as for being a good employer.

"I am proud to welcome Leprino Foods and their new manufacturing facility, and hundreds of new jobs and investment, to West Texas," said Abbott. "By selecting Lubbock as the location for their new manufacturing facility, Leprino Foods will earn the powerful distinction of being a Made in Texas brand company. I look forward to working alongside Leprino to keep the Lone Star State the best place to live, work, raise a family, and do business."

This represents the largest single private capital investment announced sinceLEDA’s inception and the 12th largest private capital investment project in Texas since the establishment of the Texas Enterprise Fund in 2003, according to a statement from LEDA.

The large volume of milk required for an operation of this size will be supplied by local dairy farmers, according to aproposal from Leprino.

"The decision to locate our newest facility in Lubbock was based on a number of factors, such as a reliable milk supply," Mike Durkin, president of Leprino Foods Company said. "We have a saying 'it all starts with milk', which has enabled us to actually place a facility of this size in thecity of Lubbock."

Lubbock hasa well-educated workforce, anda top engineering school in Texas Tech University whichDurkin said he considered to be important factors to have the facility in the city.

Once the facility becomes fully operational in the spring of 2025, this investment will result in $10.6 billion over the next ten years. Leprino Foods will hire 600 full-time positions to staff the 24/7/365 facility. Positions will range from production operations and maintenance to technical engineers and human resources. The total annual payroll at the facility will be more than $33 million, resulting in an average annual salary of more than $50,000. The facility will produce about one million pounds of cheese each day.

Mayor Dan Pope said LEDA and city leaders have been working with the Leprino Family for almost two years now and after visiting many of their plants across the country he is excited for the collaboration because the company's culture fits the culture of Lubbock.

"Leprino will be a great corporate partner," Pope said. "This project will create tremendous opportunities for our citizens and it further demonstrates the strength of our economy. We are thrilled to welcome Leprino Foods to Lubbock. It’s a Great Day in Lubbock, Texas.”

"It is anticipated that the suite of products made in the plant would be mozzarella and nutrition products," according to the documents. "The finished products will be distributed throughout the United States and internationally to satisfy Leprino’s customers globally. Within the facility would be Leprino Foods proprietary cheese making equipment, as well as large scale whey nutrition processing systems."

Supported by world-class food safety, operations, training, and maintenance programs, as well as monitored and controlled through leading edge automation and instrumentation, this facility will expand Leprino’s existing network of mozzarella cheese production plants around the world, according to a news release from LEDA. Roughly 200 trucks per day will be needed to service this facility.

Known as the hub of the region, the agriculture industry is one of the major pillars of the Lubbock economy. This project will produce over one million pounds of cheese daily. The finished products will be distributed throughout the United States and internationally.

Because of their commitment to be environmentally responsible, Leprino Foods intends to allow the excess processed water to be cleaned, filtered and recycled daily as stream quality water flowing into Canyon Lake Number 6, later to be stored in the future 776-acre Lake Seven.

“From the beginning of this courtship, it was evident Leprino Foods shared the same values of West Texas and our commitment to our people and to agriculture,” said John Osborne, President and CEO ofLEDA. “In addition toLEDA’s many private partners, this project was especially made possible by the combined efforts of the City of Lubbock, Lubbock County, the State of Texas, Roosevelt ISD and Texas Tech University. On behalf of the board and staff atLEDA, we’re incredibly excited to welcome Leprino Foods to the Lubbock family.”

The facility will be located on land Leprino is purchasing from Roosevelt ISD.

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