New cheese production facility opening in Albemarle County

Published April 30, 2015 by Veronica Garabelli

A new sheep and goat’s milk cheese production and processing facility is opening at Bellair Farms in Albemarle County, Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office said Thursday.

Ewes Guys LLC, doing business as Twenty Paces, will invest $321,000 in the farmstead operation, which is expected to create seven jobs and an apprenticeship program focused on dairy farming.

Twenty Paces, which focuses on sustainably made products, will produce cheeses and meats for restaurants and specialty cheese retailers on the East Coast. It will use all Virginia-grown sheep and goat’s milk for its products.

The company is receiving an $11,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund. Albemarle County will provide an $11,000 cash match.