HINESBURG, Vt. -
After a fire destroyed the Saputo Cheese Factory in Hinesburg Vermont four years ago, two new businesses are now calling the old lot, home.
It was a proud day for many, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy even said it was the biggest success he's seen in agriculture redevelopment. This means jobs for the area and sustainable farms across the region.
But, it was a day many in Hinesburg can't soon forget, a fire ripped through the Saputo Cheese Factory in 2008 putting dozens of people out of work.
As Governor Peter Shumlin cut the red ribbon, it became official, the Saputo Cheese Factory now becomes Vermont Smoke and Cure and Green Mountain Organic Creamery.
And, it's creating around 40 new jobs. "Building a company based on creating new alternatives for natural and humanely raised, healthy artisan quality foods for a regional and national audience," CEO of Vermont Smoke and Cure Chris Bailey said.
In 2008, all that was left of the factory was its shell, but on a much brighter day, after the ribbon was cut, hundreds of people toured the completely renovated facility. To give you an idea of what happens there, six thousand pounds of bacon is smoked each week and the creamery is bringing Vermont milk processing is back to Hinesburg.
"These two businesses embody the spirit of what the town really envisioned for this site," Hinesburg Town Administrator Joe Colangelo said.
Before production could begin in Hinesburg, Vermont Smoke and Cure was operating at a small facility in South Barre, one employee described it as moving from a garage to a mansion and now they're able to produce three times the amount of meat.
"Americans from all walks of life care about where their food comes from, what's in it and who grew it and that's why Vermont Smoke and Cure and Green Mountain Organic Creamery have such a bright future here in Vermont," Governor Peter Shumlin said.
The crowd also clapped for Senator Leahy's involvement in the five-million dollar redevelopment. But he says,"the real work is done at the local level."
