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The Churchill Economic Development Authority is launching a new marketing campaign that will promote Churchill County as a location for a cheese factory and dispel any rumors about the city of Fallon and Churchill County's plans in recruiting new businesses.
CEDA Director Eric Grimes said construction of a cheese factory would be ideal because Churchill County has many dairies.
“We're a Nevada dairy capital,” Grimes said. “We have more dairies per capita than any county in Nevada.”
A cheese factory would be especially valuable to local dairymen, Grimes said, because two years ago California stopped purchasing Nevada milk, a practice that expanded generations. He said it was due to the Real California Seal marketing campaign that promotes dairy products specific to California.
“Our dairymen are still reeling from that,” Grimes said.
Grimes said three dairies have closed in the last year because of a lack of buyers, and a cheese factory could help by increasing demand.
In addition to marketing, Grimes said he hopes the campaign dispels rumors. During the Oct. 20 Fallon City Council meeting, Susan Sovalla voiced public concerns that the city and county had turned away a Nike factory and a cheese factory. Sovalla ran against Rachel Dahl for City Council in last year's election and said she is often approached by community members on City Council matters.
“Believe me, we wouldn't turn down a Nike factory,” said Mayor Ken Tedford Jr.
Grimes said these are rumors, and concerned community members should contact CEDA for future clarification.
“I hear those rumors all the time,” Grimes said. “Somebody is misinformed. They naturally assume that if a business doesn't come here that the city or county chased them away.”
Grimes added there was interest from a cheese factory, but right before a contract was signed, an anonymous caller told factory officials there are chemicals and other agents in Fallon's water and air that causes cancer, specially citing the Fallon leukemia cluster that occurred between 1997-2004 and involved 17 child diagnosis and three deaths.
Grimes said the anonymous caller did not have substantial evidence to support the claim, but the factory backed out regardless.
“There are no studies out there that conclusively report a catalyst for the leukemia cluster,” Grimes said.
Grimes also said the county and city have put too much into Fallon to turn businesses away.
“Does it make sense that the city would spend millions on a business park then not be business friendly?” Grimes said. “Why would they not want businesses to come in?”
Grimes said despite the rumors, CEDA, Churchill County and the city of Fallon are actively searching for a cheese factory to help support local dairymen, and Grimes encouraged the community to support them as well.
“Buy local products,” Grimes said, referring to the Wal-Mart and Raley's generic brands. “They are the ones that are still taking Nevada's milk”
CEDA Director Eric Grimes said construction of a cheese factory would be ideal because Churchill County has many dairies.
“We're a Nevada dairy capital,” Grimes said. “We have more dairies per capita than any county in Nevada.”
A cheese factory would be especially valuable to local dairymen, Grimes said, because two years ago California stopped purchasing Nevada milk, a practice that expanded generations. He said it was due to the Real California Seal marketing campaign that promotes dairy products specific to California.
“Our dairymen are still reeling from that,” Grimes said.
Grimes said three dairies have closed in the last year because of a lack of buyers, and a cheese factory could help by increasing demand.
In addition to marketing, Grimes said he hopes the campaign dispels rumors. During the Oct. 20 Fallon City Council meeting, Susan Sovalla voiced public concerns that the city and county had turned away a Nike factory and a cheese factory. Sovalla ran against Rachel Dahl for City Council in last year's election and said she is often approached by community members on City Council matters.
“Believe me, we wouldn't turn down a Nike factory,” said Mayor Ken Tedford Jr.
Grimes said these are rumors, and concerned community members should contact CEDA for future clarification.
“I hear those rumors all the time,” Grimes said. “Somebody is misinformed. They naturally assume that if a business doesn't come here that the city or county chased them away.”
Grimes added there was interest from a cheese factory, but right before a contract was signed, an anonymous caller told factory officials there are chemicals and other agents in Fallon's water and air that causes cancer, specially citing the Fallon leukemia cluster that occurred between 1997-2004 and involved 17 child diagnosis and three deaths.
Grimes said the anonymous caller did not have substantial evidence to support the claim, but the factory backed out regardless.
“There are no studies out there that conclusively report a catalyst for the leukemia cluster,” Grimes said.
Grimes also said the county and city have put too much into Fallon to turn businesses away.
“Does it make sense that the city would spend millions on a business park then not be business friendly?” Grimes said. “Why would they not want businesses to come in?”
Grimes said despite the rumors, CEDA, Churchill County and the city of Fallon are actively searching for a cheese factory to help support local dairymen, and Grimes encouraged the community to support them as well.
“Buy local products,” Grimes said, referring to the Wal-Mart and Raley's generic brands. “They are the ones that are still taking Nevada's milk”
