Dairy products maker Hilmar Cheese Company Inc. is planning to erect a new cheese production and whey protein processing plant in Dodge City, KS that will utilize a number of technologies and processes to maintain a low carbon footprint, the City of Dodge City announced in a release Wednesday.

“We want our plant to be as good for the environment as it will be for the local economy,” Hilmar Cheese CEO and president David Ahlem said in a statement. “We’ll use technologies and sustainable practices to promote carbon neutrality.”

The company is investing $460 million to build the new facility. About 250 new jobs will be createdas the site starts up. Ahlem said Dodge City is an ideal location for the new asset due to its existing infrastructure, proximity to dairy producers, business friendly climate, and its central location.

“One of the biggest advantages for both the Hilmar Cheese Company and Dodge City is the cohesive nature of our sustainability efforts,” said city manager Nick Hernandez. “They have a standing commitment to being stewards of the environment much like Dodge City, and through this mutually beneficial partnership, we will be able to further utilize our wastewater for crop irrigation and biogas production.”

Hilmar Cheese is launching the expansion to help it meet increasing demand for whey protein and cheese. Work on the buildout is slated to begin this summer. The facility is expected to become operational in 2024.

The global market for whey protein is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2020 to 2026, reaching a value of $15.6 billion by the end of the period, according to a recent report by KBV Research.