News Summary
Chobani has announced plans to build a $1.2 billion production facility in Rome, NY, which is expected to create over 1,000 jobs. The 1.4 million-square-foot facility, set on a former Air Force base, will feature 28 production lines capable of processing 12 million pounds of milk daily. This expansion highlights New York’s leadership in yogurt production and will substantially benefit local dairy farmers. Along with state funding, Chobani aims to foster job opportunities for underserved communities, demonstrating its commitment to community growth and the dairy industry’s vitality.
Rome, NY – Chobani, a well-known producer of Greek yogurt, has unveiled plans to construct a $1.2 billion production facility in Rome, New York, promising to generate more than 1,000 jobs in Oneida County. This announcement was made during a news conference held at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park on April 22, 2025. As part of the largest investment in a natural food production facility in the United States, this expansion underscores New York’s continued dominance in yogurt production.
The new facility will be located on the site of a former Air Force base, positioned approximately 50 miles east of Syracuse. The facility is expected to significantly augment Chobani’s operational capabilities, nearly doubling its workforce in New York, which currently includes 1,100 employees across existing plants in South Edmeston and Norwich in Chenango County. The 1.4 million-square-foot production facility will be equipped with up to 28 production lines and has the capacity to process more than 12 million pounds of milk daily, with an annual production target exceeding 1 billion pounds of yogurt and other dairy products.
New York’s dairy industry stands to benefit significantly from this new plant, as Chobani is already one of the largest purchasers of milk from local dairy farms, acquiring over 1 billion pounds each year. Upon reaching full operational capacity, the new facility could purchase an estimated 6 billion pounds of milk annually, representing approximately a third of the state’s milk production.
As the project develops, the Triangle parcel at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park will grow with the additional assistance of over $23 million in state funding, earmarked for crucial infrastructure and transportation enhancements. Furthermore, New York state is offering Chobani up to $73 million in tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program, contingent on meeting specific job creation and investment milestones.
Chobani is also committed to creating training and job opportunities for underserved communities in partnership with Empire State Development. This initiative aligns with the company’s broader goal of fostering economic expansion and empowering local populations.
The dairy sector is a vital component of New York’s agricultural landscape, valued at approximately $8 billion. Nearly 3,000 dairy farms produce around 16.1 billion pounds of milk each year, making New York the fifth-largest producer of milk in the nation. Additionally, New York is the leading producer of yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, and cottage cheese, further solidifying its agricultural significance.
Chobani was founded in 2005 by Turkish immigrant Hamdi Ulukaya in a repurposed Kraft Foods dairy plant and rapidly ascended to prominence, becoming the top-selling Greek yogurt brand in the U.S. within just two years. In recent developments, the company raised its minimum wage to $20 per hour for full-time manufacturing and corporate hourly workers in 2023, reflecting its commitment to workforce welfare. Additionally, Chobani expanded its product offerings by acquiring the coffee brand La Colombe for $900 million in December 2023.
This substantial investment in the new production facility in Rome underscores Chobani’s commitment to growth and the enhancement of the New York dairy industry’s vitality, promising a significant economic uplift for the region.
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Additional Resources
- Syracuse.com: Chobani to build new $1 billion yogurt plant
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