GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Montana Eggs LLC announced the grand opening of its new $9 million, 58,000-sq.-ft. egg grading facility in Great Falls. The new operation will process more than 280 million eggs annually from a supply of 1.2 million chickens. A grand opening event was held at the facility Sept. 11. 

"The demand for Montana-grown free-range organic eggs is expected to double over the next few years and this facility will help us meet the demand," said Mike Kleinsasser, secretary-treasurer of Montana Eggs.

Montana Eggs is owned by a partnership of 30 Hutterite colonies. The colonies have worked in Montana agriculture for more than 70 years and produce 98 percent of Montana’s eggs.

"Montana Eggs' expansion has the potential to draw in more than $13 million for the state's economy," says Jolene Schalper, vice president, Great Falls Montana Development Authority, who attended the facility’s grand opening event. "Companies from around the world are realizing the potential of our region's strong workforce and the large number of agricultural products we can process."

The Great Falls region is home to several large agricultural processing companies, based both locally and internationally, including Montana Milling, General Mills, Graincraft and Timeless Seeds. 

The new Montana Eggs facility will bring 20 new jobs to the region. Eggs are expected to begin shipping from the site this fall.