Gov. Kathy Hochul's office has announced the groundbreaking for a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing and packaging plant for Great Lakes Cheese in Franklinville and Farmersville.
The more than $518 million investment makes it the largest infrastructure investment in the family and employee-owned company's history, and the largest economic development project in the history of Cattaraugus County.
Great Lakes Cheese will retain 228 jobs in the region, and add 215 new employees. It will also double its milk consumption to 1.42 billion pounds annually, which will directly benefit New York dairy farmers.
Completion of the new complex is set for 2025. It will replace its current facility in Cuba.
Empire State Development, the state's economic development agency, is awarding a $3.7 million grant and up to $14.6 million in the performance-based New York State Excelsior Jobs Program to create the new jobs. The New York Power Authority will also provide more than 5.3 megawatts of low-cost ReCharge NY power for the project.
