Ridley Agriproducts has opened a new mill in Lara, with an $800,000 grant from the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund (GRIIF).
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford joined Ridley Agriproducts chief executive Tim Hart to inspect the new facility, which she said would boost local agriculture, the freight and logistics industry.
“This is great news for the region and local animal industries, from dairy farmers to egg producers,” Ms Pulford said.
“The animal feed industry is a critical part of our $12 billion agricultural industry supply chain and we’re thrilled to see Ridley playing an even bigger role.”
The project will create 20 direct jobs and an estimated 25 jobs throughout the freight and logistics supply chain.
The GRIIF was established following Ford Australia’s announcement that it would close its manufacturing operations in the Geelong region.
The company was awarded a grant during round two of the GRIIF for its $21 million investment to establish the new mill facility in Lara within the City of Greater Geelong.
The mill, worth more than $20 million, has a 250,000 tonne capacity and will manufacture animal stockfeed, which supports poultry, pig and other animal industries in western Victoria.
