Shamrock Farms to expand in Augusta County

Shamrock Farms, one of the largest family owned dairies in the U.S., plans to expand its Augusta County operations, adding more than 70 jobs.

In addition to spending more than $40 million on the expansion, the company has committed to spending an additional $24 million on Virginia milk; quadrupling its current purchases of agricultural products from the commonwealth.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has approved a $400,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund to assist with the expansion.

The company will also receive another $400,000 in a performance-based grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) program, an incentive available to existing companies.

Shamrock Farms will also be eligible to receive sales and use tax exemptions on manufacturing equipment. Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Arizona-based Shamrock Farms has been making milk products for 95 years. Its products are sold in more than 50,000 quick service restaurants and 36,000 grocery and convenience stores nationwide.

The expansion announcement represents the company’s second project in Virginia in the past four years.

In March 2013, Shamrock Farms announced a $50 million investment to establish its milk manufacturing operation in Augusta, creating 60 jobs.

The 190,000-square-foot facility opened in October 2014 on a 40-acre parcel of land in the Mill Place Commerce Park.

The expansion will more than its double production capacity in response to growing demand.