Franklin County Dairy Plant Reopens Amid Vermont Industry Challenges
A dairy facility in Franklin County, Vermont, is scheduled to reopen this fall after being purchased by John Ovitt, a longtime plant manager. The plant, previously operated by Franklin Foods, closed earlier this year amid a series of shutdowns affecting the state's dairy industry. Ovitt plans to reopen the facility under the name Franklin County Cheese on September 1, continuing some of the same product lines but on a reduced scale.
The new operation will initially employ around 20 workers, down from the approximately 100 employed before the closure. This reopening provides a rare positive development for Vermont's dairy sector, which has seen multiple plant closures in recent months. Anson Tebbetts, Vermont's secretary of agriculture, food, and markets, described the reopening as "a ray of hope" for the industry.
Recent closures include the St. Albans milk processing plant by Dairy Farmers of America, set to shut down in August, and the Barre facility of dairy manufacturer HP Hood, which closed in April. In May, Franklin County's Perrigo plant announced the shutdown of its infant formula production, affecting 162 employees. Germany-based Hochland, which purchased the Franklin Foods facility in 2017, confirmed its closure for August.
Efforts to support affected workers have been ongoing, with the Vermont Department of Labor hosting workshops to assist laid-off employees with resume writing and job searches. Both Ovitt and the previous owner of Franklin Foods are actively working to help the workforce transition.
The new Franklin County Cheese facility will produce plant-based cream cheese and Baker's Cheese, a product for which the former plant was known. Additionally, it will offer trailer washing services, providing an additional revenue stream. Ovitt expressed optimism about the potential for small-to-medium-sized companies in the region.
Discussions between public and private sector stakeholders are underway to address the broader challenges facing Vermont's dairy industry. Vermont's Agency of Agriculture and Agency of Commerce and Community Development are collaborating to assess the impact of recent closures and develop strategies to bolster the sector. Kevin Kouri, chair of the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance, emphasized the need for increased communication and partnership between local officials and producers to strengthen the rural economy.
