Hugoton Dairy and Cheese Plant Break Ground

Stevens County has long made its living from the oil and gas industry is now welcoming a new dairy processing plant.

Gov. Sam Brownback joined Stevens County officials Thursday to break ground for Kansas Dairy Ingredients, a cheese and processing plant near Hugoton.

The $20 million plant is expected to bring 60 new jobs to the county.

The plant is also important because it diversifies the county’s economy and adds to the tax base.

The governor said he expects more cheese and processing plants to come to southwest Kansas, as the dairy industry expands in the region.