State Support Fuels Major Upgrade for Newark’s Organic Dairy Industry
Source: DairyNews.today
Natural Dairy Products Corporation, an organic dairy company based near the University of Delaware campus in Newark, is set to receive significant state support through a new pilot program aimed at helping Delaware businesses modernize and maintain their competitive edge.
The company has been approved for up to $858,000 in funding as part of the Modernization Investment Support Initiative, a program launched last year by the Delaware Prosperity Partnership and the Delaware Division of Small Business.
The funding will enable Natural Dairy Products Corporation (NDPC) to undertake a comprehensive upgrade of its aging equipment, some of which has been in use for decades. The company, which produces organic milk, dairy products, and has recently expanded into plant-based products and juices, plans to invest nearly $4.3 million in total to bring its operations up to current industry standards.
NDPC has faced challenges due to its outdated equipment, which has led to lost contracts and a reduction in production capacity. As a result, the company had to cut its full-time workforce from 24 to 21 employees. The planned upgrades, supported by the state’s grant, are expected to enhance the shelf life of NDPC's fluid products, a key factor for the company's future growth and success.
“In the past few years our team became very aware that adding shelf life to our fluid products through modernizing our equipment would be the key to our future growth and success,” said Stephanie McVaugh, the current owner of Natural Dairy Products Corporation.
The Modernization Investment Support Initiative, with up to $5 million allocated from the Delaware Strategic Fund, aims to assist businesses across the state in upgrading their operations. Governor John Carney highlighted the importance of this initiative, particularly in supporting Delaware’s leading industry, agriculture. “Agriculture is Delaware’s number one industry. Natural Dairy will use this grant to upgrade their equipment and stay competitive,” Governor Carney stated. “This is what the Modernization Investment Support Initiative is designed to do – help companies like Natural Dairy stay and grow in the First State.”
With this financial boost, Natural Dairy Products Corporation is poised to not only retain its current operations but also expand its capacity, ensuring it remains a vital player in Delaware’s agricultural sector. The upgrades will support the company's mission to provide high-quality organic dairy products while fostering the growth of the 22 organic dairy farms in the region that supply its raw materials.
The funding will enable Natural Dairy Products Corporation (NDPC) to undertake a comprehensive upgrade of its aging equipment, some of which has been in use for decades. The company, which produces organic milk, dairy products, and has recently expanded into plant-based products and juices, plans to invest nearly $4.3 million in total to bring its operations up to current industry standards.
NDPC has faced challenges due to its outdated equipment, which has led to lost contracts and a reduction in production capacity. As a result, the company had to cut its full-time workforce from 24 to 21 employees. The planned upgrades, supported by the state’s grant, are expected to enhance the shelf life of NDPC's fluid products, a key factor for the company's future growth and success.
“In the past few years our team became very aware that adding shelf life to our fluid products through modernizing our equipment would be the key to our future growth and success,” said Stephanie McVaugh, the current owner of Natural Dairy Products Corporation.
The Modernization Investment Support Initiative, with up to $5 million allocated from the Delaware Strategic Fund, aims to assist businesses across the state in upgrading their operations. Governor John Carney highlighted the importance of this initiative, particularly in supporting Delaware’s leading industry, agriculture. “Agriculture is Delaware’s number one industry. Natural Dairy will use this grant to upgrade their equipment and stay competitive,” Governor Carney stated. “This is what the Modernization Investment Support Initiative is designed to do – help companies like Natural Dairy stay and grow in the First State.”
With this financial boost, Natural Dairy Products Corporation is poised to not only retain its current operations but also expand its capacity, ensuring it remains a vital player in Delaware’s agricultural sector. The upgrades will support the company's mission to provide high-quality organic dairy products while fostering the growth of the 22 organic dairy farms in the region that supply its raw materials.
