At Mohawk Valley EDGE, we believe that a groundbreaking is just the start of an exciting journey.
Chobani’s recent unveiling of its plans for a monumental $1.2 billion manufacturing facility at the Triangle Site on the Griffiss Business and Technology Park is just such a case in point.
The facility is poised to become the largest natural food processing plant in the nation — and this ambitious project is set to create more than 1,000 jobs and provide a substantial boost to our local economy. Site plans are already before the city’s Planning Board, and construction is scheduled to begin this year with an anticipated completion date for the fall of 2026.
Achieving this vision will require close collaboration with our partners, including the city of Rome, Oneida County, New York State, as well as federal authorities.
We’ve already rolled up our sleeves and are working hand-in-hand with Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and his team to marshal all available resources in support of Chobani’s vision. We would not be where we are today without Picente’s leadership and his ability to reimagine Griffiss Park and the region.
This remarkable effort is a testament to the strong relationships we’ve fostered with Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan and his team, as well as with the Griffin Local Development Corporation, the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency, C&S Engineers, Empire State Development, the Department of Transportation, National Grid, and numerous other agencies. Together, we have laid the groundwork for the vital infrastructure needed to support the development of the Triangle parcel.
It hasn’t been easy.
Years of assessment, months of planning, and, yes, countless cups of coffee, have gone into making this site ready for development.
Fortunately, our minds were already thinking about the dairy industry before we met with Chobani last October at Griffiss. That day now serves as a historic opportunity in both negotiation and site development as the county executive drew up a deal that secured Chobani additional space off the Triangle, demonstrating to its founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya our seriousness about attracting them to Rome.
A now-famous meeting between Picente and Ulukaya on Columbus Day last fall catapulted our momentum and ultimately led to last month’s exciting announcement.
But hand-in-hand with those plans are our ongoing efforts to bolster the region’s agricultural industry, including dairy farming.
Last year, EDGE launched a comprehensive dairy study aimed at safeguarding and enhancing the dairy industry in Oneida County by evaluating our dairy farming landscape, including the number of farms, cattle, and milk production levels.
In tandem, a Dairy Farmer Sustainability Action Plan, spearheaded by Picente, features a variety of initiatives to support our local dairy farmers and promote sustainable practices within our community; and local farmers also provided their insights at a forum hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension, highlighting the collaborative spirit of our region.
While we recognize the ambitious nature of this project, we are already tackling a crucial question: How can our area supply Chobani with the staggering amount of dairy it needs?
Chobani’s team estimates a daily need of approximately 12 million pounds of milk — an opportunity for our local dairy farms to shine. However, our entire Upstate New York dairy industry must be heard as we work towards fulfilling Chobani’s needs in the coming years.
Seizing this moment, EDGE has leveraged the success of our dairy study to engage with regional partners, kick-starting discussions with Oneida County while rallying support from our network of dairy farms. We’re cultivating relationships with members of the Oneida County Legislature and coordinating with New York State agencies, including the state Department of Agriculture & Markets, to explore building a supply network that encompasses small, medium, and large dairy farms.
We’ve also initiated conversations with our state representatives and the governor’s office about potential policy shifts that could bolster not only our dairy farms but also the transportation of milk across New York to Chobani and other significant dairy producers.
Furthermore, we seek to engage with organizations like Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY Morrisville, and SUNY Cobleskill to address the workforce needs of Chobani’s future Rome facility.
Our federal partners will also be key catalysts for growth in this initiative, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, our congressional representatives Elise Stefanik and John Mannion, and U.S. Senator Charles E. “Chuck” Schumer, who will showcase the agricultural richness of Upstate New York as part of this once-in-a-lifetime initiative.
Together, we’re shaping a vibrant future for our community — one where local dairy not only thrives but also plays a vital role in a national narrative.
This is a significant opportunity for our community. Years of hard work and dedication have brought us to this moment, and we must support our local dairy farmers. In my experience working in state government, Congress, and other roles, discussions about agriculture always return to the ongoing struggles of family farms that have been passed down through generations.
I have listened to the stories of several farms that have fought to survive through harsh winters, including those that lost their barns this past winter due to heavy snowfall. The challenges of fluctuating milk prices and the instability of the market make it difficult for many farms to plan. This situation can lead some farmers to make tough decisions to pivot their operations, downsize, or even close their farms permanently.
However, farmers in our region, like cream, always rise to the top.
They need the opportunity and support to continue producing nutritious products year after year. And what better partner than Chobani to help uplift not just our region, but all of Upstate New York? Ulukaya’s vision aligns with our region arguably better than any other in New York. As an immigrant from Turkey who built a successful company from virtually nothing, he now leads a multi-billion-dollar corporation, offering top-quality products that reach shelves from Sri Lanka to Steuben.
He could have easily chosen to build a new facility in another state, but he chose to stay here, where his vision began, in the geographically rich region of the Mohawk Valley.
We have demonstrated that this is an ideal place for companies like Chobani to thrive, with our rich agricultural resources, vast farmland, and ample access to clean water.
Ultimately, though, it is our people who create the most tremendous impact.
Let’s show Chobani and the rest of New York State that when we work together, we can achieve truly amazing things.
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