Proposed Dairy Facility Would Become a Top-10 Employer in Traill County

HILLSBORO, N.D.  (KFGO) – Business officials are excited about the economic opportunities that a new dairy facility may bring to Hillsboro and the surrounding area. Minnesota-based Riverview LLP recently announced plans to build a $180 million dollar, 25,000 cow dairy operation about six miles southeast of Hillsboro in Herberg Township of Traill County. If completed, it would be the largest dairy operation in the state.

Traill County Economic Development executive director Jim Murphy says, “We’re really excited about, you know, the possibility of basically a brand new city growing up within three years in your purview.”

In addition to the construction of the dairy barns – and infrastructure like power and water – the operation will require about 100 employees once it’s built.

“These folks will be over there spending money in the local pubs, if you will, the the local eating establishments, you know, purchasing fuel. You know, this is a big economic engine that’s magically going to appear about six miles from the city,” Murphy says.

Murphy is also pleased that Riverview representatives have been very transparent.

“They’re bringing people over, showing them their current facility by Gary, near Mahnomen, called ‘Waukon.’ And I think anyone that wants to get a tour there, they’re more than willing to show you around and show you how they do business on a day to day basis. So, you’re walking into the proposed site here with all the knowledge that you’ll need to understand who they are and how they function. So to me, that kind of transparency is over the top, invaluable. That is absolutely what any business should be doing that people don’t understand fully, or can’t comprehend the size, scale and scope of this project.”

The Waukon Dairy began milking in June, 2022.