Tasmanian dairy company Ashgrove has officially opened its new $2 million Dairy Door and Visitor Centre in Elizabeth Town, adding a must-see tourism destination to the Meander Valley with the potential of supporting 14 new jobs in the region.
The upgraded facility, made possible by a $620,000 Regional Development Grant from the Federal Government, has enabled Ashgrove to significantly expand its visitor experience by offering new sit-down dining, curated tastings, tours, immersive interpretive experiences and regional tourism linkages with the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail and the Cradle Mountain Gateway.
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Ashgrove CEO Richard Bennett said the new dairy door facility added to years of investment into jobs and equipment by the 100 per cent Tasmanian paddock-to-plate cheese and milk brand.
"From what started as a small family business in 1993, we are proud to now employ over 100 Tasmanians across our farms and factory, with this number growing along with our business," Mr Bennett said.
"Over the past 27 odd years we've loved welcoming visitors to the factory, and we're delighted to now be able to show them exactly how Ashgrove cheese is made, and why it's some of the best in the world with our new immersive interpretive experiences.
"We're also delighted to add to what makes our part of the world so special to visit with a new attraction, helping position tourism in the Meander Valley and the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail to bounce back following the impacts of COVID.
"I'd like to thank the Federal Government for matching Ashgrove's investment with the Regional Development Grant, and particularly Assistant Minister Jonno Duniam for his work in making it happen."
Federal Member Gavin Pearce said the new Dairy Door and Visitor Centre would bring more visitors to the north-west and boost the Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail.
"Ashgrove Cheese is an iconic stop on the tasting trail, and the new visitor experience will not only attract more visitors from far and wide, but it'll support 14 new full-time jobs for locals," Mr Pearce said.
"I'm proud to be part of a Government that contributed more than $600,000 to this important project."
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