Former Linden Cheese Company to re-open with new owners
Contact: Robin Engel 608-224-5002
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Sartori Artisan Foods, LLC, Town of Linden, Iowa County, will receive $90,500 in Agricultural Development Zone tax credits for environmental remediation, capital investment and job creation. Sartori Artisan Foods purchased the assets of Linden Cheese Company, an award-winning bleu cheese manufacturer that ceased operations in August 2005.
Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, made the presentation on behalf of Governor Doyle at the Linden plant on Monday.
“Governor Doyle is committed to growing our agricultural economy – moving it to the high end by modernizing and expanding Wisconsin’s dairy industry,” said Nilsestuen, secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “I want to commend Jim Sartori for his leadership and vision in making this investment. It will help grow Wisconsin’s specialty cheese industry, create jobs and boost the local economy.”
Glacier Point Artisan Cheese is investing $950,000 to purchase, update and expand the Linden plant. The project will create 13 jobs. Glacier Point Artisan Cheese is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sartori Food Corporation, a manufacturer of premium and specialty cheeses based in Plymouth, Wis.
“Glacier Point Artisan Cheese is excited to be investing in the Linden area by producing quality, specialty cheese including Bleu and Gorgonzola while developing new, unique products to further strengthen our position in the specialty cheese marketplace,” stated Jim Sartori, President and CEO of Sartori Food Corporation.
The Agriculture Development Zone program helps attract, promote, retain, and encourage the expansion of agriculture businesses in Wisconsin. For more information about the Agriculture Development Zone program, contact Todd Jensen, Commerce, at 608-266-3074.
Since 2003, Governor Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin plan has helped support the development of more modern farms and dairies producing more specialty cheese and milk for America’s dairyland.
