New York’s Dairy Game-Changer: $270M Expansion Unlocks Future for Farmers
Cayuga Milk Ingredients (CMI), a farmer-owned dairy processor based in Aurelius, New York, has officially launched its $270 million expansion project. This monumental investment is set to create significant new opportunities for dairy farmers across New York State, directly enhancing farmer livelihoods and strengthening the regional agribusiness economy. The opening of this expanded facility resonates with a growing trend of strategic investments in processing capabilities to support local producers and align with evolving market requirements.
The expanded facility not only enhances scale but also serves as a major job creator. CMI expects to add up to 150 new permanent jobs, significantly increasing its current workforce of 100 employees. Furthermore, the construction phase alone generated over 350 jobs, underscoring the immediate economic impact of such large-scale infrastructure projects. This growth highlights the pivotal role dairy processing plays in rural employment and community revitalization.
Critical support from New York State was instrumental for the project’s fruition. The expansion received a $4 million capital grant from the state, supplemented by an additional $4 million provided through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program, conditional upon job creation targets. Brian Linney, CEO of Cayuga Milk Ingredients, expressed gratitude for the state's essential financial assistance, emphasizing CMI's commitment to long-term community growth through advanced production capabilities.
This significant expansion by Cayuga Milk Ingredients joins a broader wave of investment reshaping New York’s dairy landscape. It follows the recent announcement by Chobani to establish a $1.2 billion facility in Rome, New York, projected to create over 1,000 jobs. These investments collectively enhance New York’s status as a vital hub for dairy processing and innovation, promising a prosperous future for the state’s dairy farmers and industry stakeholders.
