A $1.5 million federal investment is headed to Oneida County to upgrade Rome’s wastewater system ahead of Chobani’s massive new dairy processing plant.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer announced the funding this week, saying the upgrades are critical to preparing the City of Rome for Chobani’s planned expansion at the Griffiss Triangle Site. The project is expected to create more than 1,000 good-paying local jobs as part of a $1.2 billion investment by the yogurt maker.
Schumer said the city’s wastewater system must handle millions of gallons of additional daily discharge once the new facility comes online.
“With Chobani’s historic dairy processing plant on the way, it’s never been clearer that all roads lead to Rome,” Schumer said, adding that the federal funding will help modernize infrastructure and support long-term economic growth in the Mohawk Valley.
Preparing for higher demand
The City of Rome’s wastewater treatment facility currently processes about 6 million gallons of discharge per day and can handle up to 12 million gallons daily. During periods of heavy rain or snowmelt, the system exceeds that capacity roughly 20 times each year.
Chobani’s new plant is expected to increase average daily discharge by about 3 million gallons, bringing normal demand close to 9 million gallons per day. Officials say the new funding will support infrastructure upgrades needed to manage that added load while maintaining reliable operations during peak conditions.
County and city leaders say the improvements will also make the wastewater system more resilient and efficient, opening the door for future development beyond the Chobani project.
Local leaders praise investment
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said the funding builds on years of preparation to make the Griffiss site ready for a project of this scale.
“This federal investment is another critical step forward in bringing Chobani’s transformational project at Griffiss to fruition,” Picente said. “It strengthens wastewater capacity and positions Oneida County and the Mohawk Valley for sustained economic growth.”
Rome Mayor Jeffrey M. Lanigan called the project a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city and the region.
“Ensuring our wastewater infrastructure can support a development of this magnitude is essential to its success,” Lanigan said, noting the project will create thousands of construction and permanent jobs and help position Rome as a future economic hub.
Chobani deepens New York roots
Chobani Chief Impact Officer Nishant Roy said the company is proud to expand its long-standing presence in New York.
“This federal funding is an investment in the infrastructure and shared responsibility that allow communities, farmers, and businesses to grow together,” Roy said.
The funding comes from the federal fiscal year 2026 Interior spending bill, which has passed both the House and Senate and is headed to the president’s desk.
Chobani currently employs more than 1,300 people in New York and sources 95% of the dairy used in its New York-made products from in-state farmers.
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