Chobani investment plans will bring a $1.2 billion dairy operation to eastern Pennsylvania, creating hundreds of new jobs. The project represents a major expansion for the company while strengthening the state’s dairy and food manufacturing industries.
Chobani plans to establish its first Pennsylvania dairy manufacturing operation in the Lehigh Valley. Furthermore, the company expects the project to create approximately 900 full-time positions during the next five years.
The planned facility will operate from a large industrial property in Upper Macungie Township. Chobani acquired the site, which covers roughly 92 acres and includes an existing 1.5 million-square-foot manufacturing facility.
The company expects production to begin in 2027 once construction, upgrades, and preparations reach completion. In addition, Chobani plans to produce several food products at the location rather than focusing exclusively on yogurt.
Once fully operational, the facility could process more than three billion pounds of Pennsylvania milk annually. That volume would represent roughly 30% of the milk currently produced across the state each year.
Consequently, the project could create significantly more demand for milk from Pennsylvania dairy farms. More than 4,000 dairy farmers could benefit from expanded markets as the facility increases its processing capacity.
Pennsylvania officials have described the project as a major development for the state’s agricultural economy. The investment also reflects broader efforts to strengthen local food manufacturing and expand opportunities within rural communities.
The state plans to provide financial assistance to support infrastructure and improvements around the project site. Those programs include approximately $50 million in loans and grants for infrastructure and site-related upgrades.
Additionally, eligible Pennsylvania dairy farmers could receive access to another $127 million through state-supported financing programs. That funding aims to help farmers increase production and respond to stronger demand created by the new facility.
Chobani may also qualify for future tax incentives connected with Pennsylvania’s economic development programs. Meanwhile, state officials intend to use an expedited permitting process to help move the development forward.
The project could also strengthen employment opportunities throughout the surrounding Lehigh Valley region. Chobani says workers will receive competitive pay and benefits as the company builds its Pennsylvania workforce.
The company’s expansion arrives as Pennsylvania continues promoting its agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The state ranks among the nation’s leading dairy producers and maintains a large network of farming businesses.
State officials estimate that Pennsylvania’s farms generate substantial economic activity while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Therefore, additional processing capacity could help farmers retain more value within the state’s agricultural economy.
The planned facility has an interesting industrial history within the region as well. The property previously housed a long-running food manufacturing operation before the former factory closed several years ago.
A newer manufacturing facility later replaced that operation, creating another industrial use for the same broader site. Now, Chobani’s plans could bring another significant transformation to the property and surrounding community.
The Chobani investment also follows another major economic development announcement involving a pharmaceutical manufacturing project nearby. Both developments could increase industrial activity and employment opportunities across Upper Macungie Township.
For Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, the new facility could provide a more reliable processing destination for locally produced milk. Moreover, increased processing capacity could help connect farmers with growing consumer demand for dairy and food products.
The company expects its Pennsylvania operation to support both manufacturing and agricultural supply chains. As a result, the project could affect businesses beyond the facility itself through transportation, farming, construction, and related services.
Overall, the Chobani investment marks a substantial expansion of Pennsylvania’s food manufacturing infrastructure. If construction and development remain on schedule, production could begin in 2027 and support hundreds of new jobs.
