$250 Million Dairy Investment Could Be Headed to Jefferson County
There’s growing momentum behind the idea that New York is becoming the leading state for dairy, and a major new project in Jefferson County could help cement that status.
Southern Dairy, a privately held company with an eye on expansion, is considering a $250 million investment just outside Watertown, New York. The proposal is for a 300,000-square-foot processing facility that would produce milk powders, whey protein concentrate, and other dry dairy products using milk sourced from regional farms.
If selected, the site—40 acres of farmland near Sackets Harbor—could become home to one of the largest private investments in Jefferson County’s history. And more than that, it would represent a major boost to the dairy economy in the North Country.
The facility would bring 80 high-paying technical jobs to the region once operational, plus several hundred construction jobs during the build. It's designed to be state-of-the-art and strategically located: close to a CSX railyard for efficient shipping, and already equipped with the infrastructure to support large-scale processing.
The company has visited the area multiple times and continues to evaluate locations across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. But local leaders are hopeful New York is the frontrunner. The region’s strong milk supply, proximity to transportation, and established agricultural presence all make it a smart fit for long-term investment.
For regional farmers, this kind of facility creates jobs and demand. Processing plants like this one are critical for keeping milk local, reducing transportation costs, and expanding opportunities for farms of all sizes. By turning raw milk into value-added products, New York continues to grow its presence not just in fluid milk, but in the high-demand global market for dairy ingredients.
This is part of a much bigger story, though. Across the state, we’re seeing consistent interest from companies ready to invest in New York’s dairy infrastructure. Between recent expansions from household names like Chobani and forward-looking projects like this one, New York is continuing to prove itself as a national dairy leader.
As this project moves through approvals, it carries the potential to bring lasting economic impact to Jefferson County and reinforce the sentiment that New York is where the dairy industry thrives.