Dairy cooperative Agri-Mark, Inc., Methuen, Mass., will invest nearly $30 million to expand its cheese manufacturing facility in Chateaugay, N.Y., and retain 106 jobs. The expansion will enable Agri-Mark to continue to thrive and support future generations of New York dairy farmers.

The expansion and restoration of the Franklin County plant involves rebuilding the current 110,641-square-foot manufacturing facility, re-engineering the layout and purchasing new machinery and other equipment.

“Our farmers are making a substantial investment in our cheese plant in Chateaugay because we believe that the New York dairy industry has a strong future, and our farm families are part of that future,” says Neal Rea, chairman of the board of directors for Agri-Mark Board and dairy farmer from Cambridge, N.Y. “We realize that our facility is one of the economic engines in the North Country, and  by undertaking this project, we are letting everyone in Chateaugay and the surrounding communities know that we are here to stay and the jobs and benefits we bring are also here to stay. We would like to thank everyone involved with helping us receive this important funding.”

In 2015, Agri-Mark marketed milk for more than 1,100 Northeast dairy farms, which amounted to more than 336 million gallons of farm fresh milk. In addition, 100% of Agri-Mark’s profits are reinvested into the dairy farms it serves. During the past five years alone, Agri-Mark has returned more than $150 million in year-end profits and milk quality and other premiums to its co-op member farms.