- 10 months ago
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) spoke at the groundbreaking for a new manufacturing facility for Chobani.
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00:00:00To be joined by Governor Kathy Hochul, we have Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, County
00:00:13Executive Anthony Pecenti, Mayor Jeff Lanigan, Representative Mannion, and we have many local elected officials from Oneida, Shenango, and Otsego counties, and for the sake of time, I'm not going to go through every single list, but every one of them has turned out, so thank you.
00:00:43Honored to have Kathy Roth Duque, who is the CEO of Blue Star Families.
00:00:53She is in the audience.
00:00:54We're here at the old Griffith Air Force Base, so please give Kathy a big warm welcome.
00:01:00We also have another national partner of ours in the American Red Cross, and we have Kobe Langley and Nick Bond, who are the CEOs that represent this area.
00:01:11And, of course, there's so many members here of the Chobani family, past, present, and future.
00:01:21So, with that said, I'm going to pass it off to our good friend Mackenzie to give us some housekeeping.
00:01:28Hi, guys.
00:01:29I'll be brief.
00:01:30I have a couple of housekeeping announcements.
00:01:32Emergency exits are out behind you either direction.
00:01:36Bathrooms are out the same way that you all entered.
00:01:39We have coffee, yogurt, beverages in the back, and we have our wonderful Chobani volunteers in long-sleeved green t-shirts and these beautiful vests.
00:01:48Find them at any time, and they can answer all of your questions.
00:01:51I will be back up at the end with some more announcements.
00:01:53You'll see me then.
00:01:58Now, please stand.
00:02:00Remove your hats for the national anthem.
00:02:02Sung by someone that is New York made.
00:02:05Born in Brooklyn, based in upstate New York, and is the first American to play Phantom of the Opera.
00:02:12He was Phantom.
00:02:14And please welcome a proud resident of New Berlin, New York, which is where our plant exists today, Jeff Keller.
00:02:21Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the dawn's early light, what so proudly we hailed at the dawn's early light.
00:02:48Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.
00:03:16And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
00:03:44Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the free, and the home of the free.
00:04:12The home of the brave.
00:04:42Thank you, Jeff.
00:04:43Phantom.
00:04:44That was powerful.
00:04:45The most amazing way to open this up.
00:04:47Now to kick off the program, let's take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought us here.
00:04:53Our Chobani team has prepared a short video that captures the heart of this story.
00:04:58Please roll the videotape.
00:05:03Twenty years ago, in the quiet remains of an old dairy factory, something small began.
00:05:12Not a business plan.
00:05:13Not a strategy.
00:05:15Just a simple belief.
00:05:18Better food for all.
00:05:21It didn't come with fanfare.
00:05:24It came with sleeves up, heads down, hearts full.
00:05:30And somehow, that belief caught on.
00:05:34In a place that knows how to keep going, no matter what.
00:05:38A place where people don't just show up for work.
00:05:41They show up for each other.
00:05:44A place that felt a lot like home.
00:05:47The treasure that I found in that factory.
00:05:52The dignity of work.
00:05:54Strike of character.
00:05:56Human spirit.
00:05:58What we need to unleash all across the world.
00:06:04Food that nourishes more than bodies.
00:06:07It nourishes communities.
00:06:09Connections.
00:06:11And the dignity of knowing what's on your plate comes from a place that cares.
00:06:17A place right here in upstate New York.
00:06:22And now the way we go further is by staying rooted.
00:06:26By looking around.
00:06:28At what we have.
00:06:29At the ground beneath our feet.
00:06:32At who got us here.
00:06:34And carry it with us.
00:06:36Into everything that comes next.
00:06:39It is my great honor to introduce the 57th governor of New York, Kathy Hochul.
00:07:00She is New York made.
00:07:02A champion for business.
00:07:03The skilled workforce and rural communities.
00:07:06She has led investments in housing and infrastructure that make it easy for businesses to choose New York.
00:07:13Many of you are wondering, what is this event about?
00:07:16And Governor Hochul will explain.
00:07:19Thank you Governor Hochul for making today as special as it is.
00:07:23Now let's please put our hands together for Governor Kathy Hochul.
00:07:30Well I told a lot of people I was going to Rome today.
00:07:46Some were a little surprised when I told them it was not Rome, Italy.
00:07:51To honor the life of Pope Francis who I was privileged to meet just a few months ago.
00:07:58And to honor him but also to be there for his burial.
00:08:04And I said, no I am going to another Rome.
00:08:07A different Rome.
00:08:09A place of rebirth.
00:08:11And renewal.
00:08:13And that is what today is all about.
00:08:15Celebrating not just what we are doing here in this amazing city on a property that once housed and trained thousands of people who are in our armed services.
00:08:26But a place where we are going to have new beginnings.
00:08:29And I love this opportunity to talk to you about why this state is so extraordinary.
00:08:34Because I know there is a man named Hamdi who knows it as well.
00:08:38And Hamdi when I think about the journey that you came on.
00:08:42You know someone just with that hope in his heart and that dream.
00:08:46That American dream and was it possible to live it again.
00:08:50And back in 2005 when he found his place he could have gone anywhere in America.
00:08:55But he came to New York.
00:08:58Upstate.
00:08:59New Berlin.
00:09:00And what you built there is an enormous source of pride for all of us.
00:09:05Every single one of us.
00:09:07As I have seen your growth.
00:09:08I have visited your facilities.
00:09:09I have visited you in New York at your amazing new headquarters there.
00:09:12But also the values that you brought to this job.
00:09:18The importance of the immigrant experience.
00:09:21How you honor that.
00:09:22Because it was what lifted your family into incredible circumstances.
00:09:26Lifted the lives of others.
00:09:27But I was really touched when I was visiting.
00:09:30And I heard about how some of your executives would drive all the way up to Utica.
00:09:35And bring back people.
00:09:36Some of the refugees looking for a new life.
00:09:38A new beginning.
00:09:39And you made them part of the Chobani family.
00:09:42That touched my heart.
00:09:44And as the governor of a state that is built by the immigrant experience.
00:09:48At a time when many of them are denigrated.
00:09:50I thank you.
00:09:51For all you have done to make that immigrant American experience so extraordinary for many.
00:09:57Hamdi.
00:09:58I want to thank you.
00:10:01And your family for being here today.
00:10:06This is about a product that is known all across the nation.
00:10:12A product that is looking for a place to even expand and to enhance its opportunities.
00:10:18And why would this happen in New York?
00:10:20Why?
00:10:21Now we are in competition.
00:10:23I will tell you this.
00:10:24Empire State Development.
00:10:25And I'm joined by members of my administration.
00:10:27Hope Knight is here.
00:10:28I want to recognize her.
00:10:29Head of Empire State Development.
00:10:31The greatest champion of our farm community, Richard Ball, our Commissioner of Agriculture.
00:10:38Roberta Reiden, our Commissioner of Labor has joined us.
00:10:43As well as many elected officials.
00:10:44I know we are recognized earlier.
00:10:46Our members of Congress.
00:10:47And our leaders in county and local government.
00:10:50But this is not about people in elective office.
00:10:52It's about the people who do the hard work.
00:10:55And when I think about the origins of the products that go into this incredible yogurt and its other products.
00:11:01It starts with the dairy farmers.
00:11:03And I want to celebrate the dairy farmers of New York State.
00:11:07Because I believe in them.
00:11:09I believe in them.
00:11:12And they work so hard.
00:11:14And I know this because I come from a long line of dairy farmers in Ireland.
00:11:19My family lived off the land.
00:11:21They had me help milk the cows.
00:11:23And I didn't mean to leave the gate open and have them all walk away one night.
00:11:28I really did not mean that.
00:11:29I have to apologize to my relatives all the time.
00:11:31But also, I've been to the farms.
00:11:34I know their struggles.
00:11:36And what I'm trying so hard to do is make them believe that this is the state where they can continue to prosper.
00:11:42Despite all the extra costs they're dealing with.
00:11:45The tariffs and how the cost of shavings in the stalls has gone up exponentially almost overnight.
00:11:51Because they came in from Canada.
00:11:52They have a lot of challenges.
00:11:53I had a round table recently.
00:11:55But they also know when a place like Chobani continues to invest.
00:11:59Or we were successful in landing North America's largest processing facility for dairy processing, which is going to be further down the road.
00:12:12This is an investment that was extraordinary.
00:12:14And it builds a whole ecosystem.
00:12:16We support our farmers.
00:12:17We support our businesses.
00:12:18And Upstate is the place that's all happening.
00:12:20But there is news I'm about to announce.
00:12:23Which I even think those who were just optimistic about New York but weren't sure we'd win this.
00:12:28And we fought hard.
00:12:29Right, Hamdi?
00:12:30There are other states that tried to lure you away.
00:12:33No.
00:12:34No.
00:12:35We weren't going to let that happen.
00:12:36We are competitive here in New York.
00:12:38So we started the conversations last summer.
00:12:41And I'm so proud.
00:12:42I could not believe when I got the call.
00:12:44That said we, Chobani, will invest in New York State even more.
00:12:49Because New York is number one.
00:12:51Thank you so much for this decision.
00:12:53But number one in what?
00:12:55Let's talk about the number one.
00:12:57Let's talk about a one billion dollar investment here in Upstate New York.
00:13:02A billion dollars.
00:13:04Let's talk about a million.
00:13:06One million square feet.
00:13:08It's going to be built right here in this great facility.
00:13:10One million square feet.
00:13:12Let's talk about one.
00:13:14One thousand new jobs.
00:13:16Full time jobs right here in the facility.
00:13:18So yes, we are number one.
00:13:25And that is the number I'll always associate with this extraordinary day to have this processing,
00:13:31which will be the number one natural food processing facility in America.
00:13:37It's happening right here, my friends.
00:13:39And I could not be prouder to make this announcement to give new hope to those who have been fighting for a long time to protect jobs.
00:13:48Fifteen hundred construction jobs.
00:13:50We can't wait to see them get to work as well.
00:13:52But this is a new day.
00:13:54And I'll tell you this.
00:13:56Anybody who bets against New York State is betting wrong and you're going to lose.
00:14:01This is the state where it's happening.
00:14:03Manufacturing is back.
00:14:05Optimism is back.
00:14:06Jobs are up.
00:14:08There is a feeling of energy like we've never seen before.
00:14:11And it all comes down to places like this happening all over.
00:14:15So, Hamdi, I want to thank you for believing in us the way we believe in you.
00:14:20We believe in you.
00:14:22We know this is just the beginning and I've got plenty of space for more expansions after this one.
00:14:27You ready for that?
00:14:28I'm always thinking about the next step.
00:14:30Hope Knight.
00:14:31Not again.
00:14:32Well, we helped out this facility.
00:14:34Two hundred and thirty million dollars to get this property ready for development.
00:14:38We got it done.
00:14:39I want to thank members of my team.
00:14:41Also, our investment in the jobs you'll be creating.
00:14:44Seventy-five million dollars of support from the state.
00:14:47Because when you create jobs, we're going to make it worth your while to do it right here in New York.
00:14:52So, ladies and gentlemen, this is part of the rebirth of our state.
00:14:56A rebirth of upstate New York.
00:14:57A rebirth of business.
00:14:59And a rebirth of the belief in greater days that lie ahead.
00:15:02Are you with me in this belief?
00:15:04We can get it done here.
00:15:05Right here in upstate New York.
00:15:07Right here in Rome.
00:15:08Right here in Oneida County.
00:15:10And thank leaders like Hamdi for his investment and belief in us.
00:15:14Thank you so much.
00:15:15I've got something to present to you, Hamdi, if you're willing to come on up here for one minute.
00:15:20Now, a lot of people give people boring things like a key to a city.
00:15:24No offense, mayors.
00:15:25I know you like to do things like that.
00:15:27But I've got a spoon to the state.
00:15:31All right.
00:15:32How about this, Hamdi?
00:15:33And it is absolute truth that a day does not go by when I pack my lunch to go wherever I'm going for this day.
00:15:52I have not one but two Chobani yogurts.
00:15:55I look forward to continuing with the new products as well.
00:15:58I told them I want something that tastes like a hot fudge sundae next.
00:16:00You're going to do that for me?
00:16:01Let's get it done.
00:16:02All right.
00:16:03Hot fudge sundaes.
00:16:04Thank you, Governor Hochul.
00:16:05Thank you, Governor Hochul.
00:16:11Now, please welcome our president and CEO, COO, Kevin Burns.
00:16:21Kevin is a world-class operator.
00:16:24And as our business has grown more complex, he has kept us rooted in keeping things simple.
00:16:39Under Kevin's leadership, he has been instrumental in bringing Hamdi's vision to life.
00:16:48And he'll share how this investment positions Chobani for the future.
00:16:52Before he comes up on stage, we are going to play a very short video clip.
00:17:51It's a pleasure to be here.
00:18:08Just one quick comment watching the previous video.
00:18:11We've got to take care of Hamdi.
00:18:12He's aged a lot in the last 20 years.
00:18:16I thought I looked at Hamdi.
00:18:17We've got to work on him.
00:18:18This is the second inning.
00:18:19I keep telling Hamdi this is a privilege to be part of this journey.
00:18:23And it really is a journey.
00:18:24This is another chapter in the book.
00:18:26And I have to be careful with my international colleagues, but it is baseball season now.
00:18:32I normally have my Yankees hat on.
00:18:34This is the second inning.
00:18:35It's still very early in our journey.
00:18:38We'll talk a little bit about the facts around the first phase here.
00:18:44We're building a campus, really.
00:18:46The plant is part of a campus, but the opportunities for us are endless if we stay on course and true to our missions and values and focus.
00:18:53A little bit on the company.
00:18:55The company is, you know, and it's 20 years in the making.
00:18:59And I really think it's like a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces are there and we're really getting the pieces to align now and fueling those with new pieces.
00:19:06But before I talk a little bit, one thing I want to say a shout out to my colleagues from the South Edmonston plant down the road, which is really the cornerstone and heart of the company still today.
00:19:16We were there yesterday.
00:19:17Hamdi and I would go to the plant.
00:19:20We don't spend much time in the offices.
00:19:22I say not much good happens in the offices.
00:19:25The actions on the floor.
00:19:27We were there yesterday and it's always an uplifting environment to see the people and engage with them in terms of the team members and how they're doing and things we can do differently.
00:19:37And we always get great input.
00:19:39But there's a number of colleagues here like Rich Lake and Hugh Roddy.
00:19:44Tony is here who's going to be working with our dairy partners and others that have been here.
00:19:48And we're really standing on their shoulders today based on what they found in terms of foundation.
00:19:53So thank you to the South Edmonston team which is making this possible based on really being the anchor of the company.
00:19:59The company continues to do quite well.
00:20:02We're only about the 27th or 28th largest food company in the U.S. providing into the retail network.
00:20:08But over the last year we've provided more volume growth in food to all of our retailers ecosystem than any other food company.
00:20:17And I think it's because we're staying true to our core around our missions, our values in a very simple model.
00:20:23We design great food.
00:20:25We make great food.
00:20:27And we deliver that food to our partners who are retailers and then ultimately the consumers.
00:20:32And that's been the focus.
00:20:34It'll be the focus here when we build what will be our most advanced plant.
00:20:39We need it for capacity purposes.
00:20:42We need it for redundancy purposes.
00:20:44We have some unique products in Twin Falls that we'd like to be able to produce in more than one plant.
00:20:48And frankly, we need it for new innovation that we're going to put in place.
00:20:52As said earlier, this will be somewhere between a million and a million and a half square feet.
00:20:57I think that's really phase one.
00:20:59We'll put over a billion dollars into the facility.
00:21:02If you've worked with us in Chobani, I'm sure we'll end up on the high side.
00:21:05I would take the over on that in terms of the spending.
00:21:08And ultimately, we'll have over a thousand team members be added here.
00:21:13The most competitive, high-quality positions in the safest work environment being part of an incredible journey.
00:21:20But I want to get two concepts across.
00:21:23One is partnership.
00:21:25The governor said that we can't do this on our own.
00:21:28We're going to need upward of 10 and 12 million pounds of milk a day to support this facility.
00:21:33So obviously, we're not in the dairy business.
00:21:36We don't own any farms or cows.
00:21:37We're going to need our ecosystem partners to work with us on that.
00:21:41We're going to need the city, the state, the county to be partners.
00:21:44And they've already been fabulous partners.
00:21:46I'm excited about working with them.
00:21:47But this is going to be a partnership over a long period of time.
00:21:50We're going to need everybody's help to make this successful.
00:21:53The second thing is really around people and talent.
00:21:56I'm confident we'll build the building right.
00:21:59I'm confident we'll buy the right lines.
00:22:00I'm confident we'll do all the technical aspects.
00:22:03But we need a great set of team members to show up to work every day with the pride that they have,
00:22:09focus on safety, focus on quality, and focus on service,
00:22:12which are the three bedrocks of what we do in our facilities every day.
00:22:17This will be a great journey.
00:22:19I'm sure there's, even now in Turbine, there's all these quips about the word Rome.
00:22:24Rome was not built in a day.
00:22:26But, Tony, we're on the clock today.
00:22:29The design package goes over to the city planner today.
00:22:32We hit the clock, and we're going to make progress every day, day by day.
00:22:36And I think you'll find that we'll be great partners along the way doing that for a long period of time.
00:22:41Thank you and enjoy the rest of the day.
00:22:43Although he couldn't be here, Senator Chuck Schumer, a longtime friend of Chobani and champion of upstate New York, has sent a special message.
00:23:04From the beginning, he has stood by our side in building the American industry and ensuring good food for all.
00:23:11Let's hear from Senator Schumer now.
00:23:13Please roll the video.
00:23:14Hi, everybody.
00:23:16It's Senator Chuck Schumer.
00:23:18And I am really so sorry, so, so sorry I can't be with you in person today.
00:23:23But I sure am with you in spirit.
00:23:26Because I love Chobani.
00:23:28I love Hamdi Ulukaya, one of the nicest, best people I've met.
00:23:32I love Oneida County and I love bringing jobs to upstate New York.
00:23:36I have always been a huge advocate for Chobani's growth in New York.
00:23:41And today, that hard work is paying off again.
00:23:45Today, Chobani, this great New York company, is solidifying upstate New York as the number one brand of Greek yogurt in America.
00:23:54It's a once in a generation investment.
00:23:57One billion dollars.
00:23:58That's a billion with a capital B.
00:24:00One thousand good paying jobs so needed here in Oneida County.
00:24:04And the largest natural foods investment in America.
00:24:08This is breathtaking.
00:24:11Totally breathtaking.
00:24:13And there are many people who deserve credit for this.
00:24:15But two people I want to thank, above all, who are such great partners in getting this done.
00:24:21First, your amazing CEO and my very dear and good friend, Hamdi Ulukaya.
00:24:28It's been almost two decades since I first met with Hamdi.
00:24:32He had just taken over a shuttered plant in Shenango County with big dreams to make his special recipe yogurt.
00:24:39He knew his yogurt was better than the competitors.
00:24:42But he had to start out with virtually nothing.
00:24:46But from the moment we met, I knew he was determined and he was committed to making a difference.
00:24:52And oh boy, has that been the case.
00:24:55He's such a great guy.
00:24:56And he cares.
00:24:57He's always cared about the dairy farmers.
00:24:59And he so helped our dairy industry in central New York by buying milk from their cows.
00:25:05He cares about the community.
00:25:07He's a deeply caring person.
00:25:09And he wants to make sure that Shenango County and Oneida County prosper.
00:25:14He could have gone to lots of other states.
00:25:16I urged him to stay in New York.
00:25:18I tried to push very hard to make sure that New York gave him what he needed.
00:25:23But boy, oh boy, Hamdi is just one wonderful, decent guy.
00:25:29And a second person, of course, gets a huge amount of credit.
00:25:32Governor Hochul.
00:25:33Without her leadership, it wouldn't be possible.
00:25:36I could not ask for a better partner in government.
00:25:39She cares about jobs in upstate New York.
00:25:41She has a great record in creating jobs for upstate New York.
00:25:44And this is one of the best things that has happened to upstate New York in a long time.
00:25:49And Governor Hochul's been behind it all the way.
00:25:53The largest, again, let me say it again.
00:25:55The largest investment in natural food making in American history.
00:25:59Right here in upstate New York.
00:26:01Now, from the very beginning, I have fought to help Chobani grow.
00:26:05Whether it was helping them first set up shop just down the road in Shenango County.
00:26:09Or helping get their delicious and healthy high protein Greek yogurt into school lunches.
00:26:14We all knew that Chobani was the best for the kids, but some bureaucrats had stood in the way.
00:26:20The city of Rome in Oneida County just got its biggest shot in the arm in decades.
00:26:25All thanks to Chobani.
00:26:27So this is a win, win, win, win.
00:26:29A win for our dairy farmers.
00:26:30A win for the Mohawk Valley.
00:26:32A win for jobs and a win for the kids who are going to get good, healthy yogurt, as will the rest of America.
00:26:39So congratulations again.
00:26:41And I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership between Chobani, the upstate New York, and the senior senator from our great state.
00:26:51I love you all.
00:27:03Representing the North Country with passion and purpose, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has made history as one of the youngest women in congressional leadership.
00:27:13We're proud to now be part of the region she represents.
00:27:17Please welcome Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
00:27:38Thank you so much.
00:27:39Good morning, everyone.
00:27:40Let me start off with a question.
00:27:42Raise your hand if you have Chobani yogurt in your fridge at home right now.
00:27:48Hamdi, every hand is up.
00:27:51That is how much upstate New York and America loves Chobani.
00:27:55Today, it is truly an honor to be here with so many friends and our strong local and county electeds who we work so closely with.
00:28:03And of course, it is great to be with so many of our local dairy farmers and ag business leaders.
00:28:09And right here, we are in Rome, New York, in New York's 21st Congressional District for this exciting announcement.
00:28:16And as we all know, as proud upstaters, not only is agriculture the backbone of our upstate community and economy,
00:28:24but we know that New York State is one of the powerhouse agricultural states in the nation.
00:28:31And today, we break ground on Chobani's new beautiful facility.
00:28:36And with it, we are celebrating the investment, opportunity, and local growth that will shape the lives of countless families in this community and upstate for generations to come.
00:28:47As so many of the other speakers mentioned, this $1.2 billion investment spanning 1.4 million square feet will create over 1,000 good-paying jobs right here in Rome.
00:29:00Jobs that will strengthen our workforce and provide economic opportunity for local farms and local families.
00:29:07And there is no question that this project is a direct result of the hard work of many, including Chobani's visionary leader and founder.
00:29:15Hamdi, thank you so much for your commitment to upstate New York, your commitment to Oneida County, and your commitment to America.
00:29:22I also would be remiss if I did not recognize our local elected officials in this county.
00:29:28In New York's 21st Congressional District, it's geographically the largest district in New York State, and I have 15 counties.
00:29:35But I will tell you, County Executive Tony Pacente, State Senator Joe Griffo, Assemblyman Brian Miller, our Oneida County Legislative leaders, they are tremendous.
00:29:45They pick up the phone to advocate for this region, they pick up the phone to call businesses to invest right here, and I am so grateful for that, and the people are grateful for that every single day.
00:29:58This facility will process a remarkable 12 million pounds of milk per day, producing over 1 billion pounds of dairy annually.
00:30:08What does that mean? It means an even stronger dairy industry and more opportunities for upstate and North Country farmers to sell their milk, expand their operations, and sustain family farms that have been so essential to our way of life for generations.
00:30:24As everyone knows, New York's 21st Congressional District is a dairy producing district, one that I've been deeply proud to support and represent over the past decade.
00:30:34Whether it's delivering results for dairy farms in multiple farm bills, or expanding access to dairy products in schools, and expanding markets with fair trade agreements, especially with our neighbor to the north in Canada.
00:30:47We also know, and I say this not only as a congresswoman, but a mom of a young three-year-old son, dairy products and whole milk are a critical part of healthy development for our children and lasting well-being through adulthood.
00:31:02And the products that will be made right here are part of the ecosystem of nutritious dairy products that I'm proud to advocate for in Congress.
00:31:11For example, I was honored to join my colleagues to pass the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.
00:31:17And this bill is incredibly important. It allows school cafeterias to serve whole and flavored milk in schools.
00:31:24It gives our kids a greater variety of milk choices, in addition to the wonderful products soon to be made here, ensuring that they have access to the nutrition they need to grow and thrive.
00:31:35We know that these school nutrition programs are essential, and they provide 77% of total daily milk consumption and 70% of total dairy consumption for low-income children ages 5 through 18.
00:31:49By promoting these nutritious dairy products back in our schools, like Chobani, we are ensuring that children across the state, across the country, can enjoy meals that support their health and physical and cognitive development.
00:32:03So it is an important step forward for our farmers, our families, and our next generation.
00:32:08Today's groundbreaking is incredibly exciting for Rome, and it's an incredible testament to the momentum that we have built working with our local workforce and our local elected officials.
00:32:20For example, we are right here, former home to an Air Force base. I serve on the House Armed Services Committee.
00:32:27We have been proud to deliver a half a billion dollars to this region, to Rome AFRL, to Innovare, to Griffiths, to make sure that we are investing not only in ag businesses, but in merging technology.
00:32:39So think about that. We are creating jobs in multiple industries in upstate New York, driving innovation, whether it's in agriculture or in defense technology.
00:32:49None of this would have been possible without the leadership of our local partners.
00:32:53Again, I want to thank County Executive Tony Pacente and Mayor of Rome Jim Lanigan.
00:32:59Their dedication to this community has been truly unwavering.
00:33:03They understand that local growth and economic development, they don't happen by accident.
00:33:08They require vision, action, and the courage to move forward even when the road ahead is challenging.
00:33:16So their tireless work and partnership with Chobani have brought us to this incredible moment today.
00:33:21So we are not only celebrating the construction of a building.
00:33:25We are here to celebrate the future of food, farming, and economic and agricultural opportunity right here in upstate New York.
00:33:33And most importantly, we are celebrating the resilience of our farmers who are the backbone of New York State's economy.
00:33:41So congratulations to all who worked so very hard to deliver these results today.
00:33:46I cannot wait to continue to work with you to build on this success.
00:33:50This is just a beginning chapter. I look forward to future chapters of Chobani right here in upstate New York.
00:33:55Thank you very much.
00:33:56Now please welcome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan, a true public servant from a patrolman to a community impact officer to mayor.
00:34:20This is his first elected office, and he's already brought in a billion dollar investment.
00:34:25I don't know what other mayor in America has delivered on their first billion dollar investment within their first two years of being in office.
00:34:32Well, congratulations, sir.
00:34:34Mayor Lanigan, thank you again for welcoming us into this next chapter.
00:34:39Please put your hands together for Mayor Lanigan.
00:35:03Good morning.
00:35:05I just want to start off, I want to let Kevin and the team know, I know you guys are new here, so I'm going to cut you a little bit of a break.
00:35:12But since I won the election, this is Mets country out here now.
00:35:16So just to give you guys a little heads up, I'll give you a pass since you're so new, but the county executive will fill you in.
00:35:26What an incredible day for the city of Rome.
00:35:29It's a day for all of us.
00:35:31The city, the county, the state, and the country.
00:35:35It is with great pride, excitement, and heartfelt appreciation that on behalf of the city of Rome, I officially welcome Chobani to our community.
00:35:44Thank you to the Chobani team, especially Hamdi, for locating your newest and most advanced manufacturing facility here at the Triangle site at Griffiths Technology Park.
00:36:03This announcement goes beyond mere business.
00:36:07This is a transformative moment for our community.
00:36:10With phase one of this project encompassing 1.4 million square feet at a cost of over $1 billion, it will be the largest development our city has seen in decades.
00:36:21Without question, the most significant event in Rome in a generation.
00:36:27Let's take a moment to recognize what this means.
00:36:30Jobs, growth, new opportunities for our families, our workforce, and our local businesses.
00:36:37It's the kind of catalytic investment that has the power to shape the future of Rome for the next 50 years.
00:36:44And Chobani, thank you for your vision and for choosing Rome as the place where that future will be built.
00:36:53Your company represents so many of the values we hold dear.
00:36:57Innovation, quality, community, and a commitment to excellence.
00:37:03Those values are part of Chobani's DNA.
00:37:06In less than a decade, Chobani grew from a startup into the number one selling Greek yogurt brand in the United States.
00:37:13It's a reminder that bold ideas rooted in strong values can lead to incredible outcomes.
00:37:20And today, as Chobani writes its next chapter here in Rome, we couldn't be prouder to be a part of that story.
00:37:27Of course, a project of this magnitude doesn't happen by chance.
00:37:31It takes leadership, it takes collaboration, and it takes true partnership.
00:37:36And that's why I want to extend a very sincere thank you to Oneida County Executive Anthony Pesenti.
00:37:42His steadfast support, his strategic thinking, and his unwavering partnership have been vital throughout this entire process.
00:37:49Thank you, Anthony, for your continuing to believe in what Rome can be and for working alongside us to make it happen.
00:38:04We are also incredibly grateful for Governor Hochul and her support and her investment in Chobani's tremendous project here in the city of Rome.
00:38:11This development marks a major step forward for our community, bringing new opportunities and growth.
00:38:18I'd like to thank Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for being here with us today.
00:38:22We are very grateful for the support of our new representative and we're looking forward to working with you as this project continues to move forward.
00:38:32As we owe a debt of gratitude to Mohawk Valley Edge for their hard work and dedication to bringing the Triangle site to a remarkable condition,
00:38:42as we celebrate this moment, we wouldn't be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the lasting contributions of Steve DeMeo.
00:38:48Steve worked tirelessly over many years to make a full redevelopment of the Triangle site a reality.
00:38:54His vision, determination, and belief in Rome's potential helped pave the way for this transformative moment.
00:39:00We honor his legacy today and every day as we move forward.
00:39:04The redevelopment of the Triangle site was a visionary effort, one that required forward-thinking investments,
00:39:09long-term commitment, dedication, and strong leadership.
00:39:13We are grateful for all those that played a role in bringing this project to reality.
00:39:17Here in Rome, we believe in getting things done and we believe in doing them the right way.
00:39:22That's why I want to make it clear to Chobani and its leadership team, you're not in this alone.
00:39:28We are fully committed to working hand-in-hand with you to ensure you have everything you need to be successful.
00:39:37One of our top priorities is ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support your operations, especially water and sewer capacity.
00:39:45Our city team is already engaged and ready to move with purpose.
00:39:49We are going to make sure Rome is not just a great place to build, but a great place to stay, grow, and lead from.
00:39:56As we prepare to welcome this incredible economic investment, we are also preparing to welcome new residents.
00:40:01Rome is ready.
00:40:02We have several new housing developments already in motion to support expected growth within our community.
00:40:08That includes the Bonaccio development at Woodhaven, Copper Village project being developed by Human Technologies Corporation in partnership with Penrose.
00:40:16Together, these projects will provide hundreds of new housing units, offering a wide range of options for workforce and families, who will soon call Rome home.
00:40:25And speaking of the city team, I want to take a moment to thank outstanding professionals at the city of Rome, who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes.
00:40:34From planning and engineering, to public works, to economic development, we have a phenomenal group of people who are ready to rise to the challenge of a project of this scale.
00:40:44This is a proud moment, and it's also a responsibility.
00:40:49We know this development will reshape Rome's economy, our skyline, and our story, and we are ready for it.
00:40:56We say it often, but today it is especially fitting.
00:41:00Rome is a city where past meets progress.
00:41:04And with this project, we are writing a bold new chapter.
00:41:08To the entire Chobani family, welcome to Rome.
00:41:12We're so glad you're here.
00:41:14We're excited about what we're building together.
00:41:16And we can't wait to get to work.
00:41:19Congratulations to everybody involved.
00:41:36You've heard some references about the ecosystem.
00:41:40Well, at the very heart of the ecosystem is the dairy that we need to go and buy and make this production real.
00:41:47I'm honored to bring up on stage Dave Curtin.
00:41:51David Curtin, he is New York made.
00:41:53He is a third generation dairy farmer from Cassville and a proud graduate of Cornell University.
00:41:59His family's operation Bridgewater Farms has grown alongside Chobani from the very beginning.
00:42:05They help feed New York and the nation, and they remind us that partnerships between farmers and food makers are how we will feed the future.
00:42:14Please join me in welcoming David Curtin.
00:42:37Good morning, everyone.
00:42:40I'm honored to be here today as an owner of Curtin Dairy, now known as Bridgewater Farms, LLC, located just south of here in Cassville, New York.
00:42:48We're a third generation family farm that was started by my uncles and my father in 1964 with a small herd of 30 cows and a big dream.
00:42:58Today, our family and our employees work together to produce the highest quality milk and crops with exceptional animal and environmental stewardship.
00:43:08Today, we milk 3,500 Holsteins and we farm more than 9,000 acres of corn, alfalfa, and soybeans.
00:43:14We vertically integrate on many levels to improve efficiencies.
00:43:27We raise all of our own animals from calves to maturity.
00:43:30Our cropping operations produce feed for our cows and we also market grain corn and corn meal to other farms.
00:43:37We have a state-of-the-art renewable natural gas facility on site, and this digester reduces our carbon emissions by at least 90%.
00:43:46At our core, we're still driven by the same mission that we were founded on, to always be a leader in the dairy industry by always improving, always innovating, and doing our part to feed the world.
00:43:59Through our milk co-op DFA, Dairy Farmers of America, we worked closely with Chobani.
00:44:05In fact, we were one of the first farms to provide them milk when they opened in 2005.
00:44:12From the very beginning, two decades ago, Chobani wasn't just buying milk from us, they were building relationships.
00:44:18Relationships built on trust, shared values, and a common belief that business can and should be a force for good.
00:44:25This new $1.2 billion investment in Rome isn't just about expanding production, it's about expanding opportunity.
00:44:32It's a commitment to New York's dairy industry, to local farms and communities that we all call home.
00:44:39And as Chobani grows our farm and many others in the region will look to this as an opportunity to grow as well.
00:44:46This is a signal to us that the future of dairy is here, and that it is strong.
00:44:52We are proud to be a part of this moment, and we're even more excited for what comes next.
00:44:58Well done, sir.
00:45:13Our next speaker has been the leader of Oneida County with a vision, he's had a vision of economic resurgence.
00:45:23He's taken this old Air Force base that was closed 30 years ago and turned it into the Griffis Business and Technology Park.
00:45:31He's brought investments to sectors like nanotechnology, cyber security, and now food making.
00:45:38He's been a critical partner in making today happen, removing obstacles as they come.
00:45:43He is a true leader.
00:45:45Please join me in welcoming County Executive Anthony Pecenti.
00:45:50Good morning.
00:46:05Good morning.
00:46:07What a great morning it is.
00:46:09It is so great to look out there and see all of you.
00:46:13And I'm just going to ask, I know the Congresswoman asked about what you had in your refrigerator, but did you just think you were coming here for free yogurt today?
00:46:23Well, you're going to get that and so much more.
00:46:26Thank you all for being here.
00:46:27Governor, thank you for being here.
00:46:30Congresswoman Stefanik, thank you for your words and for your commitment to this community and this facility that we sit on in so many different ways.
00:46:44Before I get into a few remarks, I do want to thank some people because, as has been said, this is not something that is done with one person or one group.
00:46:56It does take many hands and there are so many people to thank.
00:47:01So bear with me for a moment as I thank you.
00:47:04And he said it, you know, and I appreciate it, but my good friend and partner who has been on the job for a year and a half and not only brought, you know, this billion dollar investment with me, but a tornado at the same time.
00:47:17So, I mean, we're trying to get through that.
00:47:20But to Jeff Lanigan, he has been a great partner.
00:47:23He has led parts of this city through some tough times.
00:47:27And we're here to celebrate a great time.
00:47:29So, Jeff, I want to thank you, your team, for working hand in hand with our team in getting this to this finish line.
00:47:35Thank you, Jeff.
00:47:40Shana Papel, Mohawk Valley Edge.
00:47:43Thank you for your leadership and your team who's worked tirelessly with us.
00:47:47You know, I can't say enough.
00:47:49I worked with Shana for more years than we'd both like to say, although she looks so much better than I do.
00:47:56But Shana is a great leader in the Mohawk Valley Edge team.
00:48:00To Empire State Development, I know Hope Knight, you had a great team.
00:48:04I want to thank my old friend, Jeff Janiszewski, who's hiding somewhere in the crowd.
00:48:08Jeff, there you are.
00:48:10You know, I got the pleasure of working with Jeff when I was at ESD many years ago.
00:48:14Allison Madmoon and her staff and Christy Mercurio, who was over at EDGE, went over to ESD, went back and forth.
00:48:21Thank you for your leadership, too, on this.
00:48:23The ESD team has been great.
00:48:24Please give them a round of applause.
00:48:31You know, my team, my director of economic development, Sean Coletta, got baptized by fire on this one and has done a great job.
00:48:39I want to thank him.
00:48:41Amanda Cortese-Kolas who couldn't be with us, our county attorney who worked tirelessly.
00:48:45My executive staff, Kevin Revere, Phil Vano, Amanda Carroll, you know, did wonders in putting all of this together, working with the Chobani staff.
00:48:55So to all of them, thank you.
00:48:57And, of course, to my great partners in government that I could not do this without the Oneida County Board of Legislators, led by Chairman Jerry Fiorini.
00:49:05They're in the front row here.
00:49:06Please give them a round of applause.
00:49:08And to my partners on the state level, you know, Senator Joe Griffo, who has been great, who also represents Shenango County and Chobani down there.
00:49:23So, Hamdi, you can hit him on both ends for this, up here and down there.
00:49:29He's been a great partner.
00:49:30Assemblywoman Buttonshahn, also, who directed them over to go take a look at Griffis, and we're here today.
00:49:38So I want to thank her as well.
00:49:40So a great partnership on the state level, Assemblywoman Miller as well.
00:49:43And Jeff touched on it.
00:49:47I have to thank my dear friend that we lost last year, Steve DiMio.
00:49:54This was a vision of his and mine from when this base was closed those 30 years ago.
00:50:01Steve had a vision.
00:50:03We talked about the triangle.
00:50:05And I know he's looking down on us today.
00:50:08Thanks, Steve.
00:50:09The Chobani team has been phenomenal to work with.
00:50:18I mean, you know, I will mention names and forgive me, but obviously you heard from Kevin Burns, you know, Tarkin, Vienna, you know, Nishant, who's put up with me for the last couple weeks, you know, as we've been planning all of this.
00:50:36Marjorie, there have been so many.
00:50:39And, of course, Hamdi, I'll get to you in a moment, but thank you.
00:50:43They are phenomenal people.
00:50:44Please give them a round of applause.
00:50:51So why are we here?
00:50:52I mean, and you've heard the investment, the jobs, the other point.
00:50:55We've been talking about the triangle for years, and I'm always asked, what's the triangle?
00:51:00What is the triangle?
00:51:02Well, the triangle up until now was the biggest site in New York State that was available for development, but now has been taken.
00:51:13So it's no longer the biggest site in New York State.
00:51:16But the triangle is a part of this great facility that 30 years ago, as you heard, you know, was closed.
00:51:23The far end, and you're going to see it when we do the groundbreaking down this end where this plant is going to rise.
00:51:29The triangle is a space, obviously, that was at the end of this long runway in this historic Air Force base that has been transformed over the years by so many in the crowd that have been a part of this.
00:51:46And the land that was part of the history of this community is now taking on a new history in Chobani, the largest investment in natural food.
00:52:01You've heard that time and time again this morning, and you're going to keep hearing it as we go forward.
00:52:06But the triangle is more than that.
00:52:09And when we started, we've been talking about it for years, and we really focused more the last few years working with ESD, working with EDGE, working on the county level with the city.
00:52:20And so we threw it out there, and little did we know at that point that the first bite, or should I say the first spoon, because that's the theme, would be with Chobani.
00:52:36So we are so excited about that.
00:52:39And this project, though, touches on so many aspects of the community.
00:52:44You've heard, I mean, talk about food, talk about our children, talk about nutrition, talk about what they do.
00:52:50But I am so happy for the dairy farmers in this community and in this region today.
00:52:56I want to thank them for their steadfast perseverance in some tough times.
00:53:02And we did, in the county government some time ago, some work on a dairy sustainability study.
00:53:09And here it is, dairy sustainability.
00:53:13We couldn't be happier.
00:53:15Thank you to the dairy farmers in this community and beyond.
00:53:18Please give them a round of applause.
00:53:25Milk will be flowing.
00:53:27And to hear that it is for Chobani is so special.
00:53:33But today goes beyond all of that, too.
00:53:36It's about the beginning of a special relationship, a relationship that began not so many months ago.
00:53:45I mean, just on here, just months ago, Hamdi came to visit.
00:53:52And you see, today is the merging of two families.
00:53:57It is the family of Oneida County and the Chobani family.
00:54:04And while Chobani is a worldwide name, and their products are second to none, they have chosen our home and to join our family to build this plant.
00:54:19To build their third manufacturing plant and the second one here in New York State.
00:54:28And I can tell you a great deal about how this came about and the workings in and out.
00:54:33And like other projects, there is competition.
00:54:36Different areas of the country compete with incentives and all other things.
00:54:45And as the saying goes, that is all fair game.
00:54:48But at the end of that competition, Oneida County in the city of Rome won the day.
00:54:55Now, I can tell you we won the day because we have the best site.
00:55:00And we do.
00:55:01I can tell you we won because our proposal to them was the best.
00:55:09And that is true.
00:55:12But I believe we won because we share the same passion, the same beliefs that the Chobani family stands for.
00:55:28We are a giving community.
00:55:30We take care of our people.
00:55:32We care about our families.
00:55:35We believe in the power of people.
00:55:39And we believe in the melting pot that made this county what it is today.
00:55:44Most importantly, we both believe that in the power of what is possible and that nothing is impossible.
00:55:55And that is why we are here today.
00:55:58So I could tell you a story and you have heard some of it before and you have seen it in the video and you have heard people talk.
00:56:05It is about a man with a vision not just of making a good product, a great product, the best product, but about giving back in so many ways.
00:56:17And you are going to see that here today.
00:56:20I can tell you as I said that less than six months ago he came to visit with his team.
00:56:26And his words were never more clear to me.
00:56:30New York was his home.
00:56:33And he did want to be here, but he had to make the best decision for his people and for his business.
00:56:39But he told me something else that day.
00:56:42He said, we get there, we're going to shake hands.
00:56:46And we're going to have a deal.
00:56:48You remember that?
00:56:49And he is true.
00:56:51His word is gold.
00:56:53And we are here because he believed in us as much as we believed in him.
00:57:04On behalf of the people of Oneida County, thank you for your trust, for your confidence, and for making history today.
00:57:15History at a place in which history was made for 60 years.
00:57:22A new history.
00:57:24A history of a company that will grow and thrive and believes in its people and continues to build.
00:57:33So thank you.
00:57:35Not just for building a new plant, but for building a brighter future for this community for years to come.
00:57:44You know, there's a great quote, that example, example is leadership.
00:57:53This man is the example of that.
00:57:56Will you please join me now in giving a rousing welcome and thank you to the newest member of the family of Oneida County.
00:58:08My good friend.
00:58:09Your good friend.
00:58:11Hamdi Yulakaya.
00:58:12Hamdi.
00:58:13Hamdi.
00:58:14Hamdi.
00:58:15Hamdi.
00:58:16Hamdi.
00:58:18Hamdi.
00:58:19Ah, Tony.
00:58:21Thank you so much.
00:58:36What a day.
00:58:39I use the word magical quite often.
00:58:42I've been lucky enough to be in magical moments, magical times, magical places,
00:58:47but this is one of them.
00:58:48It's a magical time.
00:58:50I'm so honored to be here.
00:58:53Governor, so honored to be with you.
00:58:58And thank you.
00:58:59Thank you for spending time.
00:59:00I know you're busy.
00:59:01You need to go.
00:59:03You have a budget to take care of.
00:59:06But we really appreciated your time.
00:59:09And, of course, Congresswoman, thank you, Madam.
00:59:13Thank you so much for everything you do, your care, the time you spent.
00:59:17Mr. Mayor, I've got so much work to do.
00:59:20It's so honored to meet you.
00:59:21I'm so happy.
00:59:23And, of course, my brother, Tony, and everyone else.
00:59:27I'll get to you a little bit later, Tony, too.
00:59:33I'm here with my family.
00:59:34My wife is here, Louise, and my little one, Miran.
00:59:39I made this family later on.
00:59:43I'm late on this, but I have another family.
00:59:47My Chobani family is here.
00:59:49You see them out there with, you know, T-shirts and coats.
00:59:54My executive team is here, my chiefs.
00:59:58Some of our leadership team was training at South Edmondson.
01:00:02They're here.
01:00:03Some of the people who retired, and they came here for this moment.
01:00:08And some of the people I started when I started Chobani, 2005.
01:00:12Rich is here.
01:00:13Frank is here.
01:00:14Terry is here, right there.
01:00:16Some of the people we really started early on, they are here.
01:00:19So this is 20 years in the making.
01:00:22And it's funny how the life works, how the journey works.
01:00:27Somehow you come back to home.
01:00:30And we are here in this moment.
01:00:32We are home.
01:00:32Like Kevin said, I don't look as young as I used to.
01:00:36I'm okay.
01:00:37I saw a paper like this, and we were talking about this in the breakfast time.
01:00:47It said, fully equipped yogurt plant for sale.
01:00:50It came in a junk mail.
01:00:52And I tell the story many times.
01:00:54And I'm sitting in a small cheese factory, and I'm stressed,
01:01:00and a lot of bad stuff is happening away from everything.
01:01:03And I throw it to the garbage can.
01:01:04And 20 minutes later, I picked it back up for some reason.
01:01:08I don't know what.
01:01:09And I looked at it.
01:01:10Now it's dirty with some stuff in it.
01:01:13And I called the number.
01:01:15It was a real estate agent here in Utica that was selling this plant
01:01:20because it was owned by a large company, Kraft Foods,
01:01:22and they were closing the factory.
01:01:24And they were selling the plant as is, basically as junk.
01:01:31And I said, I'll go visit.
01:01:33And it took me a few hours to find the place from Johnston, New York,
01:01:37to South Edmiston.
01:01:39And I went in there.
01:01:40The first person who said hi to me was Rich Lake.
01:01:44Is Rich here?
01:01:45Where is Rich?
01:01:47Can you stand up, Rich, for a second?
01:01:48Just one more second.
01:01:49Would you please?
01:01:50Yeah.
01:01:56Rich was a production manager in that factory.
01:01:59That factory has been there for 70, 80 years.
01:02:01He was there for 15, 20 years as a production manager.
01:02:04And he took me up to the stairs.
01:02:07And there was Maria Wilcox, who just retired last year.
01:02:11We asked her to come here.
01:02:13And she said she had a spa day, so she couldn't come.
01:02:17It's God's truth.
01:02:18I like it.
01:02:19But she sent me a text this morning.
01:02:22And she welcomed me, get me a coat.
01:02:25And Rich took me out to the plant.
01:02:28And I talked about this many times.
01:02:29When you go to the plant, and he tells me the stories of the walls and the people and the families came close,
01:02:36through that and say hi to the people and seeing things.
01:02:39You smell things, you see things, you hear things.
01:02:45It seems like you're going through a time zone, a time tunnel, for years and years and years and years.
01:02:51And then you come to a room that there's about 50, 55 people closing this place.
01:02:56And they're working as if this is the beginning of their work.
01:02:59They're working so hard to finish the job.
01:03:03Knowing that finishing job is end of the job.
01:03:06And that place will be gone forever.
01:03:08The steam will be off after grandfather and father and uncles and everybody worked in that place,
01:03:14through the hardship, wars, any time.
01:03:17This was the end of it.
01:03:19But yet they were still giving their best to it.
01:03:21And I'm walking through this plant with Rich.
01:03:26And I left and I called some of my colleagues and I said,
01:03:30I just saw a place, I'd like to buy it.
01:03:35The person who answered the call is an attorney.
01:03:37He said, Hamdi, let me tell you something.
01:03:39This is a place was closed by a largest food company.
01:03:44And they're getting out of the yogurt business.
01:03:47They're giving this as a junk.
01:03:48They're looking for an idiot to unload to.
01:03:51And you are that idiot.
01:03:52And he said, you know, if they couldn't do anything with it, who are you?
01:04:00I said, you're right.
01:04:01Okay.
01:04:01I turned it off.
01:04:04And the day after, I called him back.
01:04:06I said, I have a feeling.
01:04:08I've got to do something with this.
01:04:09I have a good feeling about this.
01:04:11And it's cheap.
01:04:13It's only $700,000.
01:04:16He said, Hamdi, you don't have money.
01:04:20And you haven't paid me the last six months.
01:04:22You almost $20,000.
01:04:25Which was true.
01:04:26Four or five months later, I had the factory.
01:04:33The first four people I hired from that 55, Maria, Rich, Frank.
01:04:38Frank is here.
01:04:38Where is Frank?
01:04:40Frank, can you stand up for a second?
01:04:47My brother.
01:04:48Frank ran the wastewater site.
01:04:50So without the wastewater pond, you can't start the building, really.
01:04:55Because there's no city wastewater treatment plant in there.
01:04:58So Frank knew how to work the bugs to bring it back.
01:05:03So if one day we want to bring it back, we needed Frank.
01:05:06So we needed Rich, we needed Frank, and we needed Mike.
01:05:08Mike was the maintenance guy.
01:05:10He's retired now.
01:05:12He retired in that factory.
01:05:13He came back to close it.
01:05:15So we needed him and, of course, Maria.
01:05:17Four of us.
01:05:18Him, four of us, and me.
01:05:20Five of us.
01:05:20We sit around the table.
01:05:22I have the key.
01:05:22There's a picture out there.
01:05:24You saw it in the video.
01:05:26We sit down, and we said, okay, what are we going to do now?
01:05:31This is the end.
01:05:32This is finished.
01:05:33And these four people are looking at me as if I have the answer.
01:05:37I don't have answer.
01:05:38I don't have money.
01:05:39My English is broken.
01:05:40My car is not that great outside.
01:05:44And I have no idea what I'm going to do next.
01:05:46But I know one thing.
01:05:47These walls outside did not look good.
01:05:49And I said, we're going to go to the Ace Hardware Store, and we're going to grab some paints,
01:05:54and we're going to paint the walls outside.
01:05:57So the Mike said, I'm going to cut short after this, but you like the story.
01:06:02He said, I retired here.
01:06:04I don't know when was the last time we painted those walls outside.
01:06:07Tell me you have better ideas than that one.
01:06:13Based on what he hears from me, they're going to make a life decision if they're going to move out of this area,
01:06:18if they're going to get a better job, if they're going to go somewhere else, because everybody else has gone.
01:06:22I said, I have ideas, of course.
01:06:25But these walls are dirty.
01:06:27They were white at some point.
01:06:29They need to come back to be white.
01:06:30So let's do that.
01:06:32And that's what we did that summer of 2005.
01:06:35We painted those walls.
01:06:37Four of us.
01:06:38And there was a bar across the street.
01:06:41They were with the bikers, you know, the Harley drivers?
01:06:45Scary stuff.
01:06:46I've seen them on TV.
01:06:47I've never seen them in real.
01:06:49Turns out they were nice people.
01:06:51I never walked into that bar.
01:06:53Later on, we bought that bar.
01:06:54It was one of the most expensive bars to buy.
01:06:57We built a warehouse.
01:06:58They were making jokes, screaming, hey, you forgot that corner.
01:07:04Two years later, after we painted those walls, we still have at Chobani.
01:07:10Let's start painting the walls.
01:07:13Two years later, we launched Chobani.
01:07:17Five years later, we were billion in sales.
01:07:20We were over 1,000 people in that factory.
01:07:24So the reason I say that is Rich and Frank and I, we lived through that.
01:07:34But I bring back to one thing.
01:07:38I was wise enough.
01:07:40I'm not wise everywhere.
01:07:42Luis knows.
01:07:43I was wise enough to see in that walk.
01:07:47I saw one thing.
01:07:48Where everybody saw broken walls, old equipment, smell that was unpleasant or whatever.
01:07:58I saw people.
01:08:01I saw Rich.
01:08:02I saw Maria.
01:08:03I saw those 55 people who were closing the factory as if they were opening.
01:08:09I saw the discipline.
01:08:11I saw the spirit.
01:08:13And it reminded me where I grew up.
01:08:14You just don't give up.
01:08:18You just don't give up until the end.
01:08:22You don't do it for the pictures.
01:08:23You don't do it for recognition.
01:08:25You do it because this is the way it is.
01:08:27I asked Rich to come up.
01:08:29He says, I don't want to come.
01:08:30I'm too shy to be out there.
01:08:31He didn't want to stand up.
01:08:34I told Terry.
01:08:35Terry is right there.
01:08:37What, Terry?
01:08:37You're number five?
01:08:38Number six?
01:08:40Five.
01:08:40Number five.
01:08:41I said, Terry, would you want to come up and say hi?
01:08:44He says, no, I don't want to.
01:08:46The reason I wanted to bring Terry up is I want everyone to understand.
01:08:50They all told me about Hamdi this, Hamdi that.
01:08:52But I want to understand how special the people are here in upstate New York.
01:09:01She joined us because she used to work at the craft.
01:09:03And we went through hardship.
01:09:07It was hard.
01:09:08It was difficult.
01:09:10But once a week, I will come to that old office, and I will find this beautiful pie.
01:09:19Depends on the season.
01:09:21It's an apple pie.
01:09:22It's a strawberry rubber pie.
01:09:24It was from Terry.
01:09:25She baked it over the weekend, and she brought it on Monday morning.
01:09:29There was enough to get me going all week.
01:09:30The good thing is she still makes me a pie every once in a while after 20 years.
01:09:36She's gone through the hardship.
01:09:38This was a brotherhood and sisterhood that we built in this old factory.
01:09:42We said, by building this factory, we're going to build, by fixing this factory, we're going to fix ourselves.
01:09:48But one thing that we're not going to do, we're not going to follow the people who closed this place.
01:09:52We're going to put something new in here.
01:09:55We're going to open the windows to the community and open the walls for the community.
01:09:58We want everyone to be part of this.
01:10:01We want everyone to be part of this.
01:10:02When we are going to make it, the first thing we're going to make, we're going to give it back to the community.
01:10:07We're going to make some food that we will only make it if we are going to give it to our own children, our own family members.
01:10:14Something special, something unique.
01:10:15And in there, heroes that I met throughout this company, they are all here.
01:10:22I don't want to put them in a spot.
01:10:27500, 500,000 Idaho, Australia.
01:10:31This really started from this old factory to become what it is.
01:10:36And I went out all the way to the Idaho, built another one, and faced another dimension of this beautiful country.
01:10:45And then I came back and said, we need to build another one.
01:10:48And that's when the phone call went to our government.
01:10:52I said, I have two things I want to do.
01:10:54One is, when everybody is giving up New York City, I want to build my headquarters in New York.
01:10:58Because Choban is a New York-made, and I am New York-made.
01:11:02I want to build my office in New York.
01:11:04And we got a big office space in Bowery and in Soho.
01:11:12And we got that one done.
01:11:14But Kevin and I, when we talked about it, this new building, this new factory had to be between Idaho and New York.
01:11:21It needed to be somewhere in the middle.
01:11:22So we had that conversation with other people.
01:11:24He said, no, it can't be in New York.
01:11:28We look at Saudi Admission, we look at Norwich.
01:11:31We love New York, New York home, but we need to be strategic about where it should be,
01:11:34and shipping, and all costs, and all that kind of stuff.
01:11:37And then it's just, start tilting this way.
01:11:40She's right.
01:11:41She, they said, Governor wants to come to Soho, your office.
01:11:45I said, no, I go to, no, no, she wants to come.
01:11:47Okay, sure.
01:11:48Senator Schuber, many times.
01:11:52We want you to be in New York.
01:11:53I said, you need a land.
01:11:56Somebody said there's a land.
01:11:58And they said, in Rome.
01:12:00Rome.
01:12:01I used to live in Utica.
01:12:03When I started Chobani, I traveled from Utica to the plant for years.
01:12:08And then they said it was in the former Air Force Base, which I come smoking.
01:12:14And that's where I met my brother.
01:12:16It was a simple meeting.
01:12:18We sit around the table right here.
01:12:19We ask simple questions, simple answers.
01:12:22It's the New York way.
01:12:23Kevin is there.
01:12:24Our engineers are there.
01:12:25And we have said there are some really aggressive offers on the table for some of the states.
01:12:31We'll be better.
01:12:32And he put the team together, our economic development side of the government.
01:12:37And we have some challenges, big challenges, especially on milk.
01:12:43We need more milk.
01:12:45Especially on people.
01:12:46We need more people.
01:12:47Especially training.
01:12:49And here we are.
01:12:50And I said it earlier today.
01:12:51This is heaven.
01:12:52You have the land.
01:12:54You have the nature.
01:12:54One of the most beautiful areas in the whole country, whole world.
01:12:58Look at the rivers and hills.
01:13:00I mean, geez.
01:13:01Take a picture in every corner.
01:13:02It's a natural heaven.
01:13:05Heaven.
01:13:06Then the tradition and people just showed an example.
01:13:09What can be done in this place, in that small town, New Berlin, to become what it is.
01:13:15And then the educational ecosystem.
01:13:17You've got the SUNY Mohawk Valley Community College.
01:13:20And all, I mean, Cornell, for God's sake.
01:13:22You have all these things.
01:13:24And then you have the traditional entrepreneurship around this canal.
01:13:28You look at from Albany all the way to the Erie Canal, to Buffalo, to the lake.
01:13:32This is where all the innovation came from.
01:13:35And bringing this innovation, entrepreneurship, ecosystem, especially on the food and natural ways.
01:13:40And look at all these buildings that have been here.
01:13:42Remind us what can happen.
01:13:43What can be possible.
01:13:45This is heaven.
01:13:46And that's what Kevin said.
01:13:48I don't want to be just to build a plant.
01:13:49Which is a big plant?
01:13:51You want to build a campus where we all come together.
01:13:54And it's open to everybody.
01:13:55And no one is going to move these plants from here.
01:13:58As Miran is my son is here, as everybody's son and daughter is here, this belongs to the community.
01:14:03This belongs to the state.
01:14:04And I'm so honored.
01:14:06So honored.
01:14:08That I can be part of this.
01:14:11That this state and this country has been so good to me.
01:14:13When I left Turkey at the age of 22 in desperation, where I could be safe and be myself, find myself, and discover myself, and build a family, and be part of this amazing community.
01:14:28There's something I can give it back to the state and the country, and hopefully the humanity.
01:14:31I give you one promise, Tony.
01:14:35The handshake that we had, I will honor it every moment.
01:14:39I will give my best to make sure that this is one of the most amazing places that's ever been built.
01:14:44Governor, you have my word, and you always have my word.
01:14:48I will make sure that every single Chobani act is nothing but interest of the state and the country in every day.
01:14:55And most importantly, we have to get our relationship with our farmers deepened so this way, through this, we can truly find a good solution for farmers to have second generation, third generation, fourth generation, like my farmer brother, come back to this magical work that we need.
01:15:15The work attitude that needs to go on, that we can teach, teach, taught me, and teach everyone going forward.
01:15:21And these towns and villages to flourish through it, naturally, so we can welcome everyone to be back and be part of this community.
01:15:31And that excites me the most.
01:15:35Yes, it's a large investment.
01:15:37Yes, the company is going really well.
01:15:39Yes, the product we launch is going all over the country, and people are celebrating.
01:15:43That's beautiful.
01:15:44But to me, business is a force to make the world a better place.
01:15:49And together, we can make this happen.
01:15:52And this is not my invention.
01:15:54This lives in the cities and towns and villages of every corner of this country.
01:16:00This is the tradition I tap into.
01:16:02This is the tradition the farmers have, the working class has, and everybody has.
01:16:06And this is a great day to celebrate.
01:16:08I am so honored.
01:16:10And with that, I go back to what Governor said early on.
01:16:16There's two things that are happening in both rooms.
01:16:19We have a room, the Holy Father, a lot of people who are Catholic in this region.
01:16:26My wife isn't from the Catholic background.
01:16:29But beyond that, as who he was, Pope Francis.
01:16:33The messages that he has given all this time, especially the messages that he has given to refugees,
01:16:38which I care a lot, which we have a lot in our company that he was part of.
01:16:43And the Rome here, where we are giving a message of hope, where business and community and everyone come together and celebrate and build a future for our children.
01:16:56I want to take this day as one of the biggest gifts for my life and being here with my family, with you all, and celebrate together.
01:17:08And Tony and I, we're going to get to work and build this as fast as possible with my brother Kevin and everyone at Chobani.
01:17:14Thank you so much.
01:17:15I'm so honored to be here.
01:17:16And God bless you all.
01:17:26Well, you heard it.
01:17:39Rome wasn't built in a day.
01:17:42But if it was up to Hamdi and Kevin and the rest of the leadership team here, we'll work to simplify that even further.
01:17:49And when we do complete our plant, we want to invite folks back to come and visit when we do our ribbon coating.
01:17:56Now, we're going to now ask guests to remain seated as we escort our speakers and members of the media to the groundbreaking site for photos and interviews.
01:18:06We made some great news today.
01:18:08Let's give a round of applause for the news.
01:18:15So if I can ask the volunteers to please dismiss our official party.
01:18:20And for the rest of us, we have to get to work.
01:18:23Now,
01:18:25now,
01:18:25now,
01:18:26now,
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