State and local officials gathered for a special ceremony on April 17 to officially open Aurora Organic Dairy’s 127,000-square-foot milk production and storage facility in Columbia, Md. The plant is the second milk bottling facility for the Boulder, Colo.-based company and is expected to create more than 100 new jobs in the local community by year’s end.

“Aurora Organic Dairy is a great company that will ultimately bring more than 160 quality jobs to Missouri,” Gov. Mike Parson said. “Missouri’s central location and infrastructure network are two keys to attracting and retaining good businesses here in our state. We look forward to supporting their growth for years to come.”

Aurora Organic Dairy said the new Columbia plant will help deliver more organic milk products with the variety and convenience today’s consumers want. The facility’s state-of-the-art aseptic milk bottling line makes it one of very few dairy plants in America to distribute shelf-stable organic milk products.

“Our company’s mission is to deliver high-quality organic milk with integrity to everyone, everywhere,” said Aurora Organic Dairy CEO Scott McGinty. “Products like these not only offer consumers more organic product choices, but they also help expand markets for organic milk producers. Innovation is rapidly changing the face of dairy beverages like never before, and organic milk is no exception.”