HARRISBURG – Reps. Mike Peifer (R-Pike/Wayne) and Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne/Susquehanna) and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) today announced the awarding of state funding through the Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program for a dairy expansion project in Wayne County.
Calkins Creamery LLC in Damascus Township received a $50,000 grant to help pay for construction of an addition to house a new walk-in cooler. The company is seeking to increase its cheese production.
“Calkins Creamery has been established here in Wayne County for over a decade and it is great to see this local business have the ability to grow and expand with the help of these funds,” said Peifer.
“The Bryant’s have lived and farmed in Wayne County since the 1880s and over five generations have thrived on the farm,” said Fritz. “Emily Bryant Montgomery and her husband, Jay, developed a plan to help her family’s farm diversify and flourish by creating fine, artisan cheese using her family’s farm fresh milk – thus Calkins Creamery was born. It is a true family affair and I’m happy to see them harness opportunity. These grant funds will greatly help them expand Calkins Creamery and increase their business impact”
Funding for the project was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which was established as an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
“The proposed expansion of Calkins Creamery proves the Bryant’s remain rooted in the family farming tradition, but with an exciting focus on sustainability for the future,” Baker added. “They represent the exceptional drive, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to build and grow in Pennsylvania.”
The Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program was established under Act 42 of 2018 for research and development, organic transition, value-added processing and marketing grants in support of the Commonwealth’s dairy industry.