Burns: Loretto dairy receives $427,000 grant to expand family business
Rep. Frank Burns March 26, 2019 | 2:54 PM
EBENSBURG, March 26 – A Loretto dairy farm will be able to expand its business and product offerings, thanks in large part to a $427,474 state grant announced today by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria.
The grant will help Vale Wood Farms in Loretto, a PA Preferred member, expand its current facility to offer new products and make needed equipment upgrades.
“I’m pleased that this grant will help support a local business and provide the resources to allow it to continue being successful in our community,” Burns said. “While our state’s dairy production is strong, many such facilities need equipment upgrades to meet industry and consumer demands. This investment will go a long way to support the industry, local jobs and the community as a whole.”
Burns said the farm will use the funds to purchase a new freezer and equipment needed for cheese making, and expanded production lines for its milk, ice cream and yogurt products. Total project cost is approximately $1.95 million.
The grant was awarded through the Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program, which is managed by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The program was established in 2018 for research and development, organic transition, value-added processing, and marketing in support of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.