The Villager
Great Lakes Cheese Facility
One of the Largest Private Investments in Cattaraugus County’s History
By Dave Parker
Photo Caption: Cattaraugus County IDA Executive Director, Corey Wiktor highlighted an independent economic impact study that concluded the new facility would yield yearly $900 million of local economic benefits by 2025. The company expects that 95% of their current employees will transition from their existing location in Cuba (Empire Cheese/pictured) to the new plant and new hires will be added as the plant operations increase at the new location.
Great Lakes Cheese’s (GLC) $500 million new facility in the Farmersville/Franklinville towns are nearly finalized. At the September 15 Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board meeting, the Board adopted the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) results which confirmed no significant environmental issues with the new plant. The Board also approved the financial package to support GLC’s investment with tax abatement and other incentives. GLC officials confirmed their intent to build in the Cattaraugus County location with a targeted fall closing date on the property. The massive construction effort is tentatively scheduled to start in April 2022. A few remaining NY DEC permits need to be finalized before the closing date.
The CCIDA and GLC journey began back in early June after GLC and Alleghany County officials reached an impasse on options for a new plant in the Cuba area. Cattaraugus County officials became involved to ensure the long-time cheese manufacturer did not leave the area. These efforts of local officials and GLC are close to yielding the largest private investment in the county’s history. In addition to preserving the current 229 jobs in the Cuba plant, the expanded operations of the plant will add another 180 jobs, and nearly double the milk supply needed. CCIDA Executive Director Corey Wiktor highlighted an independent economic impact study that concluded the new facility would yield yearly $900 million of local economic benefits by 2025. Wiktor pointed out that the incentives offered by the CCIDA and local municipalities are offset and justified by the long-term benefits of this project. School districts and fire departments will see additional funds from this project. Additionally, the infrastructure that will be built to support the plant will benefit local residents with enhanced sewer, water, electric, and broadband services. Ancillary benefits from the new plant will also result in greater revenue for local businesses that support the plant’s employees and supply chain.
Mark Heberling, Deputy Town Supervisor for the Town of Farmersville stated, “This is a historic moment for our town to return to its cheese making roots. With the majority of the facility located in Farmersville, we know this will positively impact our residents and the surrounding community for generations to come. We could not be more pleased and hopeful for the future. We would like to thank all of those involved, the Epprecht family, the County Legislature, the IDA, and the landowners including Kody Sprague and Jason Schwab for their foresight and perseverance.”
GLC officials expect that 95% of their current employees will transition from their existing location in Cuba (Empire Cheese) to the new plant and new hires will be added as the plant operations increase at the new location. GLC is currently a family and employee-owned organization and will offer local residents a premier employment opportunity. Wiktor was bullish on the outlook for hiring as the area rebounds from the Pandemic.
Another CCIDA Board topic was the approval of sales tax abatement to support the $850,000 capital project at HoliMont ski resort. The CCIDA incentives will offset some of the sale taxes the major Ellicottville-area employer will incur to upgrade infrastructure and services.
To all,
I have great news! I’ve attended a Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency meeting this morning where the CCIDA signed the PILOT for the Great Lakes Cheese factory to come to Farmersville and Franklinville. Right after the announcement Matt Wilkinson from GLC announced the company’s intent to construct the factory in our towns (see the press announcement below from GLC) This truly is a historic announcement that will positively impact our communities for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Mark Heberling
Councilman/ Deputy Supervisor
For Immediate Release | September 15, 2021 | (440) 834-7278
Great Lakes Cheese Announces Expansion into Franklinville, New York
HIRAM, OH – Great Lakes Cheese is pleased to announce the intent to construct a new manufacturing and packaging plant in Franklinville, New York. With a capital investment of over $500 million, the project is the largest infrastructure investment in the company’s 63-year history and will almost double the size of the current workforce in the Southern Tier of New York.
The expanded capacity and capabilities of the new 500,000 square foot facility will support the growing Great Lakes Cheese network. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2022. The new plant will replace the existing facility in Cuba, New York upon project completion in early 2025. Although the Cuba facility will cease operations with Great Lakes Cheese, discussions are underway to identify possible future uses for the site.
“Our employee-owners are our greatest asset.” Kurt Epprecht, 2nd generation Epprecht family owner, said. “The Epprecht family and Board of Directors are thrilled to have found the location and community needed to support such a major investment in nearby Franklinville. We look forward to building one of the country’s premier cheese manufacturing and packaging facilities for our current employee-owners and the hundreds who will join the Great Lakes Cheese Family.”
One of the Great Lakes Cheese project leaders, Matt Wilkinson, said, “This project has been over two years in the making and was a true community effort, from New York State agencies all the way through to individual property owners. There are so many people who helped get us to this point, but for now we take this opportunity to extend a special thank you to the towns and village of Franklinville and Farmersville for their outstanding support, and the Cattaraugus IDA and Legislature who helped smooth this path.”
“We are honored to warmly welcome Great Lakes Cheese to Cattaraugus County,” said Corey Wiktor, Executive Director of the Cattaraugus County IDA. “This is the largest economic development project in the history of this great County. We now have a golden opportunity to combine an industry-leading family- and employee-owned business with the dairy and farming heritage and industry in Cattaraugus County.”
Kevin Younis, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner at Empire State Development said, “Great Lakes Cheese’s $500 million investment in a new facility near its former plant reflects its commitment to growth in New York State, and the company’s recognition of our talented workforce as key to its success. As New York State builds back, this investment in Franklinville will have an impressive impact on the region’s economic growth and stability.”
“Congratulations to Great Lakes Cheese on their growth in Cattaraugus County, which is a major win for New York State dairy,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “Great Lakes Cheese’s expansion will preserve local jobs, create over 200 new jobs in a rural area, and increase demand for New York dairy farmers’ milk. We thank Great Lakes Cheese for investing in New York and our agricultural community.”
“Great Lakes Cheese’s ownership culture is a great fit for the hardworking people of western New York,” VP of Manufacturing Operations Craig Filkouski said. “This major investment is a testament to the passionate efforts and proven results of our Cuba employee-owners, local milk producers, and all who support the region’s distribution network. We are ready and excited to take our operations to the next level.”
About Great Lakes Cheese
Great Lakes Cheese is an award-winning, premier manufacturer and packager of natural and processed bulk, shredded, and sliced cheeses. The country’s largest natural cheese packager, Great Lakes Cheese serves grocery, club, and super stores, as well as restaurant chains and food service distributors. The company has a national footprint with facilities in Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, and one under construction in Texas. Family- and employee-owned, Great Lakes Cheese celebrated their 60th year of business in 2018.