Local journeyman electrician Brian Horsch recently wrapped up 11 months of work with Decker Electric at the new Hilmar Cheese Company site in Dodge City. The state-of-the-art dairy production facility, a $600 million investment, will create nearly 250 jobs.

“This is an amazing facility that will bring notoriety to the state,” said Horsch. “Not only was it a great job for me, but it’s bringing a lot of good jobs to the area.”

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Senator Jerry Moran attended last week’s grand opening.

“I am pleased that Hilmar Cheese Company chose to build its new production facility in Dodge City,” Kelly said. “This investment in our state signals to industry leaders around the globe that Kansas has the workforce and infrastructure to be competitive.”

Hilmar Cheese Company, one of the world’s largest cheese manufacturers, produces American-style cheese at the Dodge City plant for wholesale distribution. The facility also incorporates cutting-edge sustainability measures, including automated systems that minimize water and energy use.

Horsch was instrumental in wiring the controls for these advanced systems.

“There’s a lot of automation in this plant,” he explained. “I spent most of my time wiring controls into the various devices, which then connect into a control cabinet.”

Denise Skidmore, Hilmar’s Director of Public Relations, emphasized the plant’s sustainability efforts.

“Recycled water is used to process protein, clean the facility and equipment, and reclaim heat,” she said.

The facility’s energy-efficient pumps and equipment will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. Hilmar is part of the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and the advancements in Dodge City will help the company reach that goal.