Shapiro Administration Celebrates Investments in Agriculture and Manufacturing, Helps Cut Ribbon on Country View Family Farms' White Deer Feed Mill in Union County

September 27, 2024
The $47.3 million project will create 51 new jobs and retain another 231 existing jobs statewide.
New Columbia, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding celebrated the Shapiro Administration’s investments in the Commonwealth’s agriculture and manufacturing industries and helped cut the ribbon on Country View Family Farms’ $47.3 million White Deer Feed Mill expansion project in Union County.
The expansion project will create at least 51 new, good-paying jobs and retain 231 existing Pennsylvania jobs statewide. Country View Family Farms built the new feed mill on a 100-plus acre rail-served site at 2142 Old Route 15 in New Columbia to support its hog production business.
“Today is a big win for Union County, the region, and the entire Commonwealth,” said DCED Secretary Siger. “Agriculture and Manufacturing are two of the five key industries the Shapiro Administration is focusing on in Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Strategy. We’re doubling down on our efforts to strengthen these sectors and make Pennsylvania an economic powerhouse.”
Agriculture, which contributes $132.5 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy, and Manufacturing, which accounts for more than $116 billion in gross state product, are included in the five key industries highlighted in Governor Josh Shapiro’s Economic Development Strategy.
The Commonwealth previously provided Country View Family Farms with a $255,000 funding offer for this expansion. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture staff, including Secretary Russell Redding, also helped coordinate this project.
“Investing in food and agriculture manufacturing shortens the supply chain, saving costs, and keeping more Pennsylvania dollars here at home,” Agriculture Secretary Redding said. “This Country View expansion feeds our economy, creating opportunities that feed prosperity in Pennsylvania communities, and increasing opportunities for families to buy locally-produced food. It’s a great example of how the Shapiro Administration is investing to keep Pennsylvania agriculture a national leader in years to come.”
“Country View Family Farms operates with our core values of ethics, integrity, and stewardship always at the forefront,” said Aaron Ott, President of Country View Family Farms. “We are pleased to work with great companies and organizations that do the same. The White Deer Feed Mill is key to the growth of our company and our impact on the communities where we live and work. The Feed Mill utilizes best-in-class systems and designs to provide innovative solutions and products to our farms and beyond. We are thankful to each and every person who helped build this excellent facility.”
Regional economic development organizations Drive and Focus Central PA were also involved in the project, working with local authorities and helping with site selection.
“The investment Country View Family Farms has made here will have a direct impact on families across our region, from the employees at this new feed mill to the farmers it supports,” said Jennifer Wakeman, Executive Director, Drive. “We celebrate with them today and look forward to working with the Country View team as they continue to grow their business here in the Susquehanna Valley.”
“The Country View Family Farms ribbon cutting is a symbolic way to celebrate the hard work of many to get to this point as well as to celebrate the beginning of the economic impact of this agriculture investment for individuals, families, farms, industry, and many more in Central Pennsylvania,” said Lauren Bryson, Executive Director, Focus Central PA. “This project is a shining example of a successful WIN for the region and for Pennsylvania.”
Based out of Middletown in Dauphin County, Country View Family Farms is a hog procurement and production company, managing over 100 family farms that are raising hogs under contract. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Clemens Family Corporation in Hatfield, Montgomery County.

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