The former Kalona Cheese Factory will be operational by next year. According to Mindy Seiffert with Kalona based Open Gates Business Development Corporation, they could add up to 30 positions in the next 24 months.
Open Gates’ entity Kalona Creamery purchased the building on Highway 1 in May. So far, the company has addressed the environmental concerns that played a factor in Twin County Dairy’s closure of the facility in September, and Seiffert says they’re planning more upgrades. She adds other than the fact that they will be utilizing the receiving area, they have not determined what the facility will be used for.
Open Gates also operates Farmers Creamery, Kalona Organics and its Kalona Supernatural brand, Awesome Refrigerated Transit of Iowa and Provision Ingredients, all based out of rural Kalona, Wellman and Frytown.