By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania has secured a investment from Chobani, which plans to establish its first dairy product manufacturing operation in the state. The $1.2 billion project, announced by Governor Josh Shapiro and state officials, represents the largest private investment in Pennsylvania’s agricultural history.
The initiative is expected to create 900 full-time jobs over the next five years in the Lehigh Valley while expanding opportunities for more than 4,000 dairy farmers across the Commonwealth.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on our farms and in our rural communities, hearing directly from Pennsylvanians about the kind of investments they want to see in our Commonwealth. This $1.2 billion investment from Chobani is the largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and will strengthen our dairy industry, support our farmers, and reinforce our position as a national leader in agriculture and food manufacturing,” said Governor Josh Shapiro.
Chobani will take over operations at Keurig Dr Pepper’s manufacturing facility in Upper Macungie Township. The 1.5 million-square-foot site will support the production of innovative food products beyond yogurt and help meet growing consumer demand.
“Pennsylvania is home to one of the highest number of family-owned farms in the country. When we walked into this factory, we knew it was a great fit for what we want to build for the future,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder & CEO of Chobani.
When fully operational, the facility is expected to process more than three billion pounds of Pennsylvania milk annually, creating significant new market opportunities for dairy farmers and strengthening the state’s agricultural economy.
Photo Credit: pa-cast
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Government & Policy