Dairy manufacturer Chobani broke ground on a $1.2 billion, 1.4 million-square-foot manufacturing plant in Rome, N.Y.
The facility will have up to 28 production lines, producing more than 1 billion pounds of dairy products yearly and processing about 12 million pounds of milk daily.
At full capacity, Chobani will buy around 6 billion pounds of raw milk yearly from New York farms, boosting the state’s dairy industry and local economy.
Yogurt maker Chobani broke ground on April 22 on a $1.2 billion food manufacturing facility in Rome, New York. The plant is expected to create over 1,000 full-time jobs and strengthen the region’s dairy and food production industries.
The 1.4 million-square-foot plant is located on a 150-acre site that once housed the Griffiss Air Force Base. The company said the plant will enable Chobani to meet rising demand for natural, nutritious foods and drive new product innovation.
The manufacturing facility will feature up to 28 production lines and process approximately 12 million pounds of milk daily, supporting Chobani’s plan to purchase an estimated 6 billion pounds of raw milk annually from New York State dairy farms.
“New York is where Chobani’s journey began,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and chief executive officer.
Ulukaya added, “With our new plant in Rome and our original home in South Edmeston, we’re partnering with hardworking people across the heartland of New York to build an ecosystem of natural food production and nourish families throughout the country.”
The new plant is designed to be more than a production site. Chobani will collaborate with local farmers, businesses, colleges, and community organizations to foster food innovation, train workers, and fuel economic opportunity in New York State’s Mohawk Valley.
Governor Kathy Hochul called the project “the largest natural food manufacturing investment in American history,” emphasizing its potential to revitalize Upstate New York’s manufacturing sector and deliver good-paying jobs to Oneida County.
The Rome, NY expansion follows a $500 million investment in Twin Falls, Idaho, and reflects the company’s mission to make high-quality, natural food accessible to more people.
Dairy Manufacturing by Chobani
Chiobani announced that the Rome facility will offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and on-site health and wellness amenities for its employees. It will roughly double the number of Chiobani’s New York employees.
Griffiss Business and Technology Park, where the plant is located, was recognized in 2021 for its successful cleanup and transformation from a military base. The US Environmental Protection Agency named the restoration project a National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse.
Founded in 2005, Chobani manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamer without artificial preservatives. It has manufacturing facilities in New York, Idaho, Michigan, and Australia.
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