BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul is celebrating Lactalis USA‘s ongoing investment of more than $75 million at its two facilities in the state, including one in Buffalo.

The company has been upgrading its Walton and Buffalo plants over the past several years, allowing them to expand capacity and efficiency, with a total investment of $123 million since 2020, according to a Lactalis spokesperson.

The state’s development agency, Empire State Development (ESD), has offered $750,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits for the Walton plant and $550,000 in tax credits for the Buffalo project in exchange for commitments to retain jobs and create new ones.

The projects are expected to be completed in 2027, retaining more than 800 full-time jobs and creating 50 new jobs, according to a press release from the Governor’s Office.

“New York will continue to work with businesses in the agri-food sectors as they expand and grow to ensure good-paying jobs remain in our communities,” Governor Hochul said in the release. “By investing in the Lactalis USA facilities and assisting with improvements, New York is retaining hundreds of jobs and adding new jobs, as well as helping to support the region’s dairy farmers.”

Lactalis USA is the world’s largest dairy company. Their Buffalo plant, located at 2375 South Park Avenue, produces Galbani Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Provolone cheese, as well as whey powder that is distributed across the U.S. and abroad.

The $60 million expansion in Buffalo includes the installation of six 50,000-pound vats, an advanced cheese belt, separators, silos, and a robotic palletizer. The building will also be remodeled to relocate the cheese lab, increase mozzarella and provolone production by 37 million pounds annually. Ricotta production will also be expanded.

The announcement from the Governor coincides with the last day of National Dairy Month, June 30. Coincidentally, it also falls on the same day that Lactalis’ deal to purchase Yoplait, Oui (We), Go-Gurt, and other brands from General Mills was finalized.

The companies announced the deal in September 2024 and received federal approval in early June 2025. As part of the acquisition, Lactalis is acquiring two plants in Michigan and Tennessee, which will continue making the aforementioned brands.

“Lactalis has two plants in New York State that are key to our growing business in the United States. Our Buffalo plant is home to a significant ricotta and mozzarella production under the Galbani brand. Our Walton plant continues a rich tradition since 1882 of producing Breakstone’s Sour Cream and is essential to strengthening our cottage cheese business in a rapidly growing category. We are committed to supporting the communities of Buffalo and Walton as we continue to grow in those markets, and we thank Gov. Hochul and ESD for their support,” said Lactalis USA CEO Esteve Torrens.

Lactalis supports the processing of 800 million pounds of raw milk annually from more than 200 local dairy farmers, many of whom are in New York.