NEW COLUMBIA, PA — A new chapter in Pennsylvania’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors unfolds as the ribbon was recently cut for Country View Family Farms’ expansive $47.3 million White Deer Feed Mill in Union County. The occasion marks a significant advancement in the state’s economic development strategy, spotlighted by the presence of key state officials, including Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
This ambitious expansion project is poised to create at least 51 new, well-remunerated positions, while securing 231 existing jobs across Pennsylvania. Strategically located on a 100-plus acre rail-served site in New Columbia, the new feed mill is integral to supporting Country View Family Farms’ comprehensive hog production operations.
DCED Secretary Siger heralded the project as a monumental success for Union County and the greater Commonwealth, emphasizing that agriculture and manufacturing are pivotal to Pennsylvania’s economic resurgence. These sectors, contributing a combined $248.5 billion to the state economy, are vital components of Governor Josh Shapiro’s forward-looking Economic Development Strategy.
The state’s commitment to this initiative is underscored by a $255,000 funding offer previously extended to Country View Family Farms. The project coordination, spearheaded by the Governor’s Action Team, exemplifies a collaborative approach to attracting and nurturing business growth within Pennsylvania.
Secretary Redding highlighted the strategic significance of investing in food and agriculture manufacturing, noting how such projects fortify local supply chains and retain economic capital within the state. By expanding infrastructure like the White Deer Feed Mill, Pennsylvania not only strengthens its agricultural prowess but also enhances opportunities for communities to access locally-produced foods.
Aaron Ott, President of Country View Family Farms, emphasized the alignment of the company’s operations with core values of ethics, integrity, and stewardship. The White Deer Feed Mill represents a commitment to innovation and excellence, offering advanced solutions and products that benefit not only their farms but the broader community.
The project has received pivotal support from regional entities such as Drive and Focus Central PA, which have facilitated site selection and local collaboration. According to Jennifer Wakeman, Executive Director of Drive, the investment will directly impact regional families and support local farmers, heralding a new era of economic vitality in the Susquehanna Valley.
Lauren Bryson, Executive Director of Focus Central PA, hailed the ribbon-cutting as a testament to collective efforts and a catalyst for economic growth across Central Pennsylvania. The White Deer Feed Mill stands as a beacon of progress, illustrating the fruitful partnership between state bodies, private enterprises, and local communities.
As a subsidiary of the Clemens Family Corporation, based in Hatfield, Montgomery County, Country View Family Farms manages over 100 family-owned farms specializing in hog production, reinforcing the company’s role as a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s agricultural landscape. The opening of the White Deer Feed Mill exemplifies the state’s efforts to foster sustainable economic development and maintain its status as a leader in agriculture and manufacturing.
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