Like most of east-central New Mexico and west Texas, Clovis hosts agriculture and ranching, including peanut and cotton farming and cattle ranching, for meat and dairy production. Several processing plants exist for these products. In 2004, construction began on the Southwest Cheese Company and it commenced operations in late 2005 providing a substantial boost to the local economy employing over 200 personnel. It is one of the largest plants of its type in the world, processing in excess of 2.3 billion pounds of milk yearly, provided by the numerous local dairies. A high proportion of local residents make their living in the services sector.