Something big is stirring in Rome, New York—and it’s not just Greek yogurt.
On a crisp April morning, in a place once home to the Griffiss Air Force Base, shovels hit the earth and history was made. Chobani, the beloved Greek yogurt company founded in Upstate New York, officially broke ground on a massive $1.2 billion manufacturing facility in the heart of Oneida County. It’s being hailed as the largest natural food manufacturing investment in American history. Let that sink in.
And what does that mean for Rome? Jobs. Growth. Energy. A serious confidence boost for the entire Mohawk Valley. And perhaps, a signal flare to other industries: Upstate New York is open for business.
A Billion-Dollar Homecoming
Chobani’s story is already a well-known local legend. Founded by Hamdi Ulukaya in 2005 in the tiny town of South Edmeston, NY, the company transformed a defunct Kraft plant into a yogurt empire. Now, nearly two decades later, Chobani is doubling down on its New York roots.
“It was the perfect spot to start Chobani 20 years ago,” Ulukaya said. “And it’s the perfect place to continue our story.”
This new plant—located on the 150-acre Griffiss Triangle Site—will be a sprawling, 1.4 million square foot testament to Chobani’s growth and its belief in the people of Upstate New York. It’s expected to generate over 1,000 full-time jobs with competitive wages, top-tier benefits, and on-site health and wellness amenities. At full capacity, the plant will process a staggering 12 million pounds of milk per day, turning it into over 1 billion pounds of high-quality dairy products per year.
Senator Chuck Schumer, who helped shepherd the deal and stood shoulder to shoulder with state and local leaders at the groundbreaking, called it “a win-win-win for Chobani, New York dairy farmers, and the Mohawk Valley economy.”
From Air Force Base to Food Innovation Hub
The Griffiss Triangle Site has come a long way. Once a symbol of military might, it’s now set to become a powerhouse of natural food production. Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. was among the earliest believers in the site’s potential.
“We believed in the Griffiss Triangle,” Picente said. “That’s why we invested over $6 million to make it shovel-ready. We knew it could attract a world-class partner like Chobani.”
That investment has paid off in full—and then some. But this isn’t just about one company. It’s about an ecosystem.
“Chobani isn’t just building a facility,” said Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan. “They’re building a future. This is the largest single development in our city’s modern history. It’s a transformative moment that will shape Rome for generations.”
New York Grit and Grassroots Growth
Governor Kathy Hochul was glowing at the announcement, both for what it means now and for what it could signal about Upstate’s long-term trajectory.
“When I took office, I pledged to make New York the most worker-friendly and business-friendly state in the nation,” Hochul said. “Projects like this one show our strategy is working. Through this partnership with Chobani, we’re revitalizing Upstate New York’s manufacturing sector one spoonful at a time.”
It’s not just lip service. The state is backing up this bold project with up to $73 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, administered through Empire State Development. And in a move that exemplifies Chobani’s ethos, the company will work with ESD to launch workforce training initiatives aimed at bringing job opportunities to underserved communities.
A Ripple Effect for Dairy Farmers, Colleges, and More
Beyond job creation, the new Chobani facility is expected to dramatically boost the local dairy industry. The company already purchases more than 1 billion pounds of milk annually from New York State dairy farms. Once the Rome plant is fully up and running, Chobani is projected to buy nearly 6 billion pounds of raw milk per year—a lifeline for local farmers.
But the ripple effect doesn’t stop there. Ulukaya envisions the plant as a launchpad for innovation.
“This is not a standalone operation,” he explained. “We’re partnering with local farmers, businesses, colleges, government leaders, and community organizations to build an entire ecosystem of food innovation. When you invest in people and local communities, you’re not just building a business—you’re building a future.”
An Invitation to the Future
Assemblymember Marianne Buttenchon put it plainly: “Chobani is an amazing employer that supports our local communities and provides healthy, delicious products for our families. I sincerely thank them for choosing Oneida County.”
And while the spotlight today is on yogurt, the message underneath the headlines is loud and clear—Upstate New York is ready for more.
Rome offers a blueprint for revitalization: a skilled and eager workforce, affordable housing, shovel-ready land, access to higher education institutions, and a state government aligned with pro-growth policies. For companies looking for a place to grow, innovate, and build with purpose, this region checks every box.
As State Senator Joseph Griffo put it, “This 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.”
A City on the Rise
In many ways, this project is about more than yogurt or economics—it’s about pride. The City of Rome is getting national attention for all the right reasons. It’s a comeback story. A rallying cry. A reminder of the power of persistence, vision, and community partnerships.
“To the entire Chobani family—welcome to Rome,” said Mayor Lanigan. “This isn’t just a business development—it’s a new beginning.”
And perhaps, it’s also a dare to other industries watching from afar: Come see what we’re building here. Come be part of it.
Because in the Mohawk Valley, we’re not just stirring yogurt.
We’re stirring momentum.
Want to learn more about development opportunities in Oneida County?
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