GREAT FALLS, Mont., Sept. 12, 2017 (PRNewswire) — Montana Eggs LLC announced today the grand opening of its new $9 million, 58,000 square-foot egg grading facility. The new operation, located in Great Falls, Montana, at 1015 38th Street North, will process more than 280 million eggs annually from a supply of 1.2 million chickens.
"The demand for Montana-grown free-range organic eggs is expected to double over the next few years and this facility will help us meet the demand," says Mike Kleinsasser, secretary-treasurer of Montana Eggs.
The facility is owned by a partnership of 30 Hutterite colonies that make up Montana Eggs. For over 70 years, the colonies have been setting new trends in Montana agriculture, driving the dairy industry and producing 98 percent of Montana's eggs.
"Montana Eggs' expansion has the potential to draw in more than $13 million for the state's economy," says Jolene Schalper, vice president, Great Falls Montana Development Authority. "Companies from around the world are realizing the potential of our region's strong workforce and the large number of agricultural products we can process."
The Great Falls region is home to several large agri-processing companies, based both locally and internationally, including Montana Milling, General Mills, Graincraft, and Timeless Seeds. The region has also attracted foreign direct investment, with four Japanese-owned companies including Columbia Grain, Montana Specialty Mills and Helena Chemical, and French-owned MaltEurop.
A new 197-acre development site called AgriTech Park opened in Great Falls, MT, in 2016, offering customized, shovel-ready, heavy industrial lots with rail access.
The new Montana Eggs facility will bring 20 new jobs to the region. Eggs are expected to begin shipping from the site this fall.
About Montana Eggs
Beginning operations in 2011, Montana Eggs LLC is a cooperative of 30 Hutterite colonies in the Great Falls region of Montana, producing eggs and currently transitioning to a completely cage-free nesting system.
About the Great Falls Montana Development Authority
Founded in 1992, the Great Falls Montana Development Authority is an economic development organization that works to create high paying jobs and promote growth and diversification throughout the Great Falls region of Montana. http://www.gfdevelopment.org/
