A joint venture that includes dairy operations in Europe and Livingston County may result in a new cheddar cheese plant in the Town of York.
A company based in Denmark, Arla Foods, has agreed to enter into a joint venture with the Dairy Farmers of America, a national marketing cooperative, to build a small dairy plant for cheddar cheese production.
The $58 million plant would be built in the hamlet of Linwood in the Town of York, and be located at Noblehurst Farms. Several farmers who supply milk for the plant will also have an ownership stake in the project.
The plant is expected to create about 30 jobs. Chris Noble is vice president of Noblehurst Farms. He tells WXXI News that producing cheddar at that site will help the area farmers who would not have to transport their milk a long distance, and it also involves a very popular cheese.
“The cheddar market is lots of different offerings; I think what we’re providing to the market is a premium, more specialty cheese that carries a message of sustainability , carries a message of high quality.”
Livingston County may apply for a half-million dollar grant for the project. It’s possible the plant could be up and operating by the fall of next year.
