ONIEDA COUNTY - Chobani has announced it has chosen New York State's Mohawk Valley as the location for the nation’s largest investment in natural food manufacturing after a competitive nationwide search.

Chobani, which opened its first U.S. plant in 2005 in New York, will build a 1.4 million square foot, $1.2 billion facility in Rome, Oneida County, capable of producing over one-billion pounds of high-quality dairy products per year. The expansion will add more than 1,000 jobs to the region and nearly double Chobani's total New York State workforce.

Governor Kathy Hochul said she supported the company and welcomed the news.

“Through this partnership with Chobani, we're revitalizing Upstate New York's manufacturing sector one spoonful at a time,”  Governor Hochul said.  “Chobani has been a major employer in the Mohawk Valley for decades, and this massive new $1.2 billion investment will bring more than 1,000 good-paying jobs to Oneida County — the largest natural food manufacturing investment in American history. When I took office I pledged to make New York the most worker-friendly and business-friendly state in the nation, and projects like this one show our strategy is working.”

Chobani Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya said,  "New York is where Chobani’s journey began. It was the perfect spot to start Chobani 20 years ago, and it’s the perfect place to continue our story. Working with dedicated dairy farmers and the resilient community, we built something truly special — something bigger than the food we make. We ignited a movement toward better food made with heart, passion, and only the highest-quality ingredients. With our new plant in Rome and our original home in South Edmeston, we’re entering a new dimension, partnering with hard working people across the heartland of New York to build an ecosystem of natural food production and nourish families throughout the country. When you invest in people, in local communities, you’re not just building a business — you’re building a future."

Chobani’s latest facility will be built at the Triangle parcel located at Griffiss Business and Technology Park, which was awarded more than $23 million from FAST NY last year to complete infrastructure and transportation improvements. When at full capacity, Chobani will process over 12 million pounds of milk per day, representing a large economic opportunity for the state’s dairy farms.

Chobani has selected Rome, New York for this project based on:

A skilled local workforce, including a high concentration of military veterans living in the area, as well as graduates from nearby colleges; Easy access to the major population of the East Coast; availability of affordable housing in the area as well as Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to building affordable homes in New York State; additional resources coming from the state to support the creation of new jobs

To help facilitate the company's investment and expansion in the Mohawk Valley, Empire State Development (ESD) has agreed to provide Chobani up to $73 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to support the creation of more than 1,000 jobs at the Rome location. Additionally, the company has pledged to collaborate with ESD to develop workforce training that aims to train and provide job opportunities at Chobani to underserved populations.

The dairy industry is the largest single segment of New York's $8 billion agricultural industry. The state has nearly 3,000 dairy farms that produce 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the fifth largest dairy state in the United States. New York is the largest producer of yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese and cottage cheese and the fifth largest producer of milk. The dairy community in New York includes both large dairy operations and small, family run farms. It also boasts approximately 200 dairy processing facilities of various types and sizes, from major global processing companies to small artisanal dairy product makers.

Chobani has been a major employer in the Mohawk Valley for decades, and this massive new $1.2 billion investment will bring more than 1,000 good-paying jobs to Oneida County."

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “Today, Chobani makes Upstate New York the No. 1 Greek yogurt producer in America. Chobani’s $1 billion investment — the largest investment in natural food making in American history — is a win-win-win for Chobani, NY dairy farmers, and the Mohawk Valley economy and jobs. I’ve fought to help Chobani grow since the very beginning to lay the foundation for a day like today. When Chobani wanted to expand the reach of their delicious and nutritious Greek yogurt, I helped get them included in the national school lunch program to be enjoyed by children across the country. With this new factory, more people will be able to enjoy their ‘Made In NY’ Greek yogurt than ever before. Dairy farmers are the beating heart of Upstate NY and this massive new facility and 1,000 new jobs will help support so many family farms across the state. I sincerely thank Chobani’s amazing CEO, and my very good friend, Hamdi Ulukaya for continuing his commitment to our state. I also thank Governor Hochul: without her leadership, today would not be possible. New York is proud that Chobani calls it home and more people will be enjoying their yogurt that comes from NY dairy farms made here in the Mohawk Valley than ever before.”

State Senator Joseph Griffo said,  “I thank Chobani for their willingness to continue to invest in Upstate New York and appreciate the efforts of all those who have helped make today’s announcement a reality, especially Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. and the Governor and Empire State Development. 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. I am looking forward to watching as this project progresses and am excited about the significant, positive, transformational impact it will potentially have on the community, region and state."
Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk and creamers — Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafés nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world — putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond: working to eradicate child hunger, supporting immigrants, refugees and underrepresented people, honoring veterans, and protecting the planet. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

For more information, please visit  www.chobani.com  and  www.lacolombe.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

- Information from the NYS Governor's Office