Governor Kathy Hochul announced that The Coca-Cola Company will construct a new 745,000 square-foot facility in Webster to produce lactose-free milk products.
The $650 million project is expected to create up to 250 new jobs, with construction beginning in the fall and completion slated for 2025. Fairlife, a Coca-Cola subsidiary, will use the facility to filter milk, retaining protein and calcium while removing lactose and much of the sugar.
The facility is anticipated to significantly impact the agriculture industry in the Finger Lakes Region, becoming the largest dairy-producing plant in the Northeast upon completion.
Empire State Development is providing up to $21 million in tax credits for the project, which is expected to help the region’s high-quality milk reach new markets and attract innovative, high-tech food and beverage manufacturing.
Greater Rochester Enterprise, a leading organizer in the project, highlighted the region’s proximity to markets, access to freshwater, and strong farming community as reasons for the company’s decision to build the facility in Webster.
The addition of 250 jobs is seen as a major win for Monroe County and surrounding areas, benefiting the agricultural industry and local economy.
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