MONROE - Maple Leaf Cheese, N890 Twin Grove Road, was awarded a $163,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to help the factory expand and become more energy efficient.
Maple Leaf Master Cheesemaker Jeff Wideman said the money will help pay for a 2,000-square-foot expansion project, which will allow the factory to make different varieties of European cheeses. Maple Leaf already produces several different types of award-winning cheeses. The grant will not be used to hire more employees to accompany the expansion.
The grant also will help the co-op factory purchase energy efficient equipment.
The expansion and energy projects started in September and should be done in about a month.
Department Secretary Ron Nilsestuen visited the factory Thursday to announce the grant.
Wideman said the grant money will mean farmers and co-op members will not have to pay for the entire cost of the projects.
The grant will help farmers keep the money they make from milk sales to the cheese factory, he said. As with other cheese factory co-ops, farmers are members who help pay for improvements at a cheese factory. Without the grant, the money for the project would have been taken from the payments the farmers receive by selling their milk to Maple Leaf.
"It's important to create jobs, but it's also important to keep farmers farming," Wideman said.
Nilsestuen said Maple Leaf is an example of the quality products produced by Wisconsin farmers and cheese factories. Wisconsin cheesemakers produce about 600 different varieties of cheese. Almost half the cheese produced in the state is specialty cheese, which is produced only in Wisconsin.
"Maple Leaf is a symbol of Wisconsin's reputation for top quality cheeses," Nilsestuen said.
President of the Maple Leaf Cheese co-op Clarence Pluss said the company's success starts with the farmers. He said the cheese factory will celebrate its 100th birthday this year, and plans to be around for another 100 years.
Green County Development Corporation Coordinator Anna Schramke said the grant money given to Maple Leaf Thursday, as well as the federal grant awarded to Orchid International Wednesday, shows that Green County has strong businesses that can compete with others in the state.
"It's another exciting day," she said.
Maple Leaf Cheese was founded in 1910 by a group of local farmers, according to its Web site, www.wischeese.com. The factory employs 36 people.
Maple Leaf Master Cheesemaker Jeff Wideman said the money will help pay for a 2,000-square-foot expansion project, which will allow the factory to make different varieties of European cheeses. Maple Leaf already produces several different types of award-winning cheeses. The grant will not be used to hire more employees to accompany the expansion.
The grant also will help the co-op factory purchase energy efficient equipment.
The expansion and energy projects started in September and should be done in about a month.
Department Secretary Ron Nilsestuen visited the factory Thursday to announce the grant.
Wideman said the grant money will mean farmers and co-op members will not have to pay for the entire cost of the projects.
The grant will help farmers keep the money they make from milk sales to the cheese factory, he said. As with other cheese factory co-ops, farmers are members who help pay for improvements at a cheese factory. Without the grant, the money for the project would have been taken from the payments the farmers receive by selling their milk to Maple Leaf.
"It's important to create jobs, but it's also important to keep farmers farming," Wideman said.
Nilsestuen said Maple Leaf is an example of the quality products produced by Wisconsin farmers and cheese factories. Wisconsin cheesemakers produce about 600 different varieties of cheese. Almost half the cheese produced in the state is specialty cheese, which is produced only in Wisconsin.
"Maple Leaf is a symbol of Wisconsin's reputation for top quality cheeses," Nilsestuen said.
President of the Maple Leaf Cheese co-op Clarence Pluss said the company's success starts with the farmers. He said the cheese factory will celebrate its 100th birthday this year, and plans to be around for another 100 years.
Green County Development Corporation Coordinator Anna Schramke said the grant money given to Maple Leaf Thursday, as well as the federal grant awarded to Orchid International Wednesday, shows that Green County has strong businesses that can compete with others in the state.
"It's another exciting day," she said.
Maple Leaf Cheese was founded in 1910 by a group of local farmers, according to its Web site, www.wischeese.com. The factory employs 36 people.