New Mexico’s Economic Development Department said Leprino Foods Co., Denver, will invest more than $15 million to expand its dairy manufacturing facility in Roswell, N.M., add five new jobs and commit to retaining a minimum of 552 jobs on-site. New Mexico's closing fund, LEDA, will support Leprino Foods's expansion and the construction of a refrigerated/freezer warehouse. 

"This is great news for New Mexico and another example of what's possible when businesses know they're welcome here," Economic Development Secretary Matt Geisel said. "We've enacted business-friendly policies and expanded our economic development tools to help industry leaders like Leprino Foods find success in New Mexico." 

New Mexico will provide up to $200,000 for Leprino's expansion through the state's closing fund, known as LEDA. Chaves County will act as the fiscal agent for the LEDA award, the department said. LEDA helps recruit new businesses to New Mexico while helping those that are already there grow and thrive.

"Roswell has been an ideal location for our production for the past three decades, providing both a thriving community for our employees to live and work and close proximity to the dedicated farmers who supply the high-quality milk that is the chief ingredient in our products," said Robert Tuttrup, vice president and general manager of the Roswell Plant. "We value our partnership with the state of New Mexico and are very appreciative of their investment in support of our expansion." 

Leprino Foods is the largest private-sector employer in Chaves County, producing dairy-based products, including mozzarella cheese, whey protein, lactose and more.