The Howlong Industrial and Export Precinct was officially opened yesterday, allowing for a new 16 lot industrial subdivision and expansion of the Staughton Group's CoolOff facility.

Initial funding for the project was announced in 2017.

Cool-Off Pty Ltd is Australia's premier producer of pet food, processing over 250 tonnes of raw material per day to supply Australian and international markets.

The business was a 2019 winner at the Riverina Murray Business Awards.

Managing director Edward Staughton said the development would create economic opportunities for the region.

"This was a really critical project, there is no other industrial land in Howlong, so the creation of these blocks will create opportunities for more businesses to build within the community," he said.

"A big part of it will be the total community population growth that will come on the back of this economic activity.

"In the last three months, for instance, there's been 60 people that have joined our business that have moved into Howlong and Rutherglen.

"They'll bring their families and that will benefit the school, it'll benefit the sporting teams, which will benefit the whole eco-climate, so I think it's going to be great for Federation Council."

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The project was jointly funded by the Building Better Regions Fund ($6.759 million), the Staughton Group's CoolOff ($6.589 million) and Federation Council ($1.999 million), for a total cost of more than $15 million.

Mr Staughton said he expected engineering and carpentry business would move into the new lots and the precinct's was well located for businesses.

"It's a half hour commute into Albury so it's local enough to tap into those sort of markets that all have good infrastructure support, good road access, and power, gas and services," he said.

It's a great central hub for supply of our products.

"The inland rail is a really exciting opportunity that will give us cost effective access to the ports for a cost effective delivery from a global perspective and access to a regional Australia.

"But again it's been a good relationship with council, it's a good hub and access to the Albury-Wodonga community and workforce."

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