Chobani’s $1.2 Billion Investment Marks a New Era for Upstate New York, Says Senator Joe Griffo

Governor Kathy Hochul this week announced an exciting new chapter for Upstate New York as Chobani revealed plans to build a $1.2 billion, 1.4 million square foot facility in Rome, Oneida County. This state-of-the-art plant will be the largest natural food manufacturing investment in U.S. history, and it will create over 1,000 new jobs in the region. The expansion secures New York’s position as the number one yogurt producer in the nation and further strengthens the state’s thriving dairy industry.

Senator Joseph Griffo, a passionate advocate for the region, expressed his excitement about the announcement and highlighted the long-term impact the expansion will have on the community. “Today’s announcement that Chobani will be expanding to Rome is a truly exciting and important day for the city and Upstate New York,” Griffo said in a statement shared on his Instagram. “I am truly honored to represent Chobani in Chenango County and look forward to the company’s new presence in Rome.”

He continued, “I want to thank Hamdi Ulukaya and his team for this historic $1.2 billion investment in our region—a project that will create more than 1,000 jobs and generate significant opportunities for our hardworking local dairy farmers.”

The Senator also extended his gratitude to the team responsible for bringing the project to fruition. “I am pleased to have been a part of an exceptional team that helped with this effort and appreciate the work of all those who made today’s announcement a reality, especially Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr., his staff, and Mohawk Valley Edge. I also thank the governor, Empire State Development, Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who now represents Rome, and my partners in state and local government.”

Griffo emphasized the positive and transformative impact of the Chobani expansion on the region. “This major expansion will generate new employment opportunities, boost the local and regional economies, strengthen the state’s dairy industry, and enhance the City of Rome, Oneida County, and Upstate New York.”

Chobani’s new facility in the Griffiss Business and Technology Park will process over 12 million pounds of milk daily, providing a significant boost to New York’s dairy farmers. The plant is set to become an economic powerhouse in the region, with Chobani’s commitment to workforce development and job creation benefiting underserved populations and local communities.

Senator Griffo’s comments on the expansion reflect the broader excitement across the region, as Chobani’s continued investment in the Mohawk Valley promises to create jobs, bolster the agricultural economy, and support New York’s dairy industry.

Griffo concluded, “I am excited about the significant, positive, transformational impact this expansion will have on the community, region, and state. It is a win for the local economy, for dairy farmers, and for all New Yorkers.”

With Chobani’s new plant set to open, Rome and the Mohawk Valley are on the cusp of an economic renaissance, thanks to this historic investment that is set to benefit the entire state.