The 61,300-square-foot fresh mozzarella production plant, slated to be operating by the spring of 2013, will be built this year behind the existing Lactalis plant east of Nampa at the intersection of Franklin and Star roads.
Officials from the international Groupe Lactalis gathered at the site with Gov. Butch Otter and local officials Monday to announce plans for the $40 million expansion. The project will make the Canyon County plant, already Lactalis’ largest in North America, the biggest Lactalis facility in the world, officials said.
Production of fresh mozzarella at the Canyon County plant will increase from 7 million pounds per year to 40 million pounds per year, said Pierre Lorieau, vice president and general counsel for Lactalis.
The existing Nampa plant, which employs about 600 people, will continue focusing on string cheese and bulk mozzarella, while the 40 people who make fresh mozzarella at the current plant will be transferred to the new facility, said Lenny Bass, who will manage the new plant.
About 70 Treasure Valley residents will be hired to round out a staff of about 110, Bass said, adding that the new plant will be fully staffed by the spring of 2013.
