Pace Dairy has proposed a major investment in its local Crawfordsville facility with a $5 million upgrade to machinery and equipment. The proposed enhancements will replace two shredded cheese lines with new, state-of-the-art shredding, packaging, and transporting machinery to meet growing demand for its popular product lines.
“We’re grateful to Mayor Todd Barton and the City of Crawfordsville for recognizing the potential of this new project,” said Pace site manager Melissa Stonecipher. “Pace Dairy of Indiana annually distributes 110 million pounds of Kroger cheese to half of the United States. The new investment will enable our Pace team to be more productive and efficient than ever, with the most innovative technology in our 42 years serving the country from Crawfordsville.”
Pace Dairy, a key supplier of Kroger-branded dairy products, is proposing the installation of new machinery that will support increased production levels of their 6 to 8 ounce, 16 ounce, 32 ounce, and 64 ounce shredded cheese products. The $5 million investment will modernize and expand the production process, ensuring greater efficiency and output to keep up with heightened demand. While this investment will not add to the 300 jobs presently provided by Pace, it will reinforce the longevity and sustainability of the existing operations, securing the future of the facility in Crawfordsville and enhancing its ability to compete in a growing marketplace.
The City of Crawfordsville remains committed to fostering economic development and supporting local businesses. Mayor Todd Barton expressed enthusiasm for Pace Dairy’s proposed investment, stating, “This new investment further solidifies Pace Dairy’s Crawfordsville operations as a leader in the evolving market for dairy products driven by consumer preference. The commitment of Kroger and Pace to our community has been historically strong and this announcement further strengthens that relationship, positioning them for long-term success. We truly appreciate their continued confidence in our community and thank them for choosing to invest in Crawfordsville.”
Subject to normal due diligence and local approvals as part of the decision-making process, Pace Dairy will seek tax incentives from the City of Crawfordsville.
