Walmart Plans $350 Million Dairy Facility Expansion in Texas
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Walmart Inc.'s $350 million dairy facility expansion to produce milk near Waco for distribution to 750 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs in the state, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.
Walmart ranks No. 2 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America.
“Walmart’s new processing facility in Robinson is exciting news for Texas, creating millions in investment for the local economy and hundreds of new, good-paying jobs for hardworking Texans in central Texas,” Abbott declared March 7. “World-renowned companies like Walmart continue to choose Texas because of our unmatched business climate, lower business operating costs, and highly skilled, diverse and growing workforce.”
The new site in McLennan County is expected to create nearly 400 new jobs.
“This major investment is a testament to the promise of economic success in Texas,” Abbott added.
Near Waco and 100 miles south of Dallas, the city of Robinson encompasses U.S. Route 77 and the north–south Interstate 35 North American Free Trade Agreement corridor that spans from Laredo to Duluth, Minn.
Abbott
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the I-35 corridor is home to 97,000 freight-intensive businesses that move 137 million tons of freight (valued at $307 billion) yearly on the I-35 corridor, while spending $27 billion to truck the freight in and out of their facilities.
“We’re excited to be able to provide Texas and its surrounding states with high-quality milk sourced primarily from Texas dairy farmers,” said Bruce Heckman, vice president of Walmart manufacturing. “This new facility continues our commitment to building a more resilient and transparent supply chain and ensuring our customers’ needs are met for this everyday staple.”
Heckman
Walmart’s new dairy facility will enable the company to meet growing demand for high-quality milk in a more resilient supply chain that offers transparency about where products originate. The facility will process and bottle a variety of milk types in gallon and half-gallon containers for Walmart’s Great Value and Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark brands.
“Walmart remains dedicated to job growth and community support through our Investing in American Jobs initiative. We have pledged $350 billion over a decade to invest in products made, sourced, grown or assembled here in the U.S.,” a company announcement about the Robinson venture noted.
We’re excited to create nearly 400 local jobs while meeting the demand from our customers for more high-quality milk with our 3rd owned and operated milk processing facility slated to open in Robinson, Texas, in 2026. https://t.co/FPupHpnMGO pic.twitter.com/cLtDvr3tMZ — Walmart Inc. (@WalmartInc) March 7, 2024
Robinson Mayor Bert Echterling said Walmart’s “monumental investment is the first of its kind in both size and value, signaling a transformative era for Robinson. The decision of Walmart to establish its roots here is a testament to the strength of our local economy, the dedication of our workforce and the strategic advantages that our city offers.”
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McLennan County Judge Scott Felton welcomed the company and thanked local officials for their efforts.
“This project is another example of how cities throughout McLennan County can participate in economic development,” Felton said. “McLennan County is excited that our region has been named one of the top regions for food and beverage manufacturing businesses, and this project reinforces our strength in this area.”
This latest venture in Robinson will be Walmart’s third owned-and-operated milk processing site there. The facility is scheduled to open in 2026.
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