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Chobani opens; Economic impacts to be felt beyond Magic Valley

(Note: ITD representatives were on hand for the formal opening of the new yogurt production facility near Twin Falls on Dec. 17. ITD and the state's transportation system will be instrumental in helping Chobani move its products to national markets. Enhancing economic opportunity is one of ITD's strategic plan goals.)

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter
On Monday Dec. 17, I spent a good part of the day with my friends in the Magic Valley, as they welcomed the nation's top-selling yogurt brand to their community.

Chobani has made a name for itself around the country and indeed around the world. Now it has a brand new, $450 million, nearly 1 million square foot facility in Twin Falls that will employ more than 300 people and expects to employ additional workers over the next several months.

This is a great milestone not only for Chobani but also for the Magic Valley and our state. Idaho convinced Chobani to locate here by out-hustling and out-negotiating other states competing for those jobs and investment. My hat is off to the local officials who did a great job in working with us to secure the facility.

The economic impact will go far beyond the Magic Valley. Over 2,000 men and women helped construct the plant in a record 11 months.

Chobani negotiated contracts with local dairymen for its necessary milk supply. By the end of 2012, 100 to 200 trucks will pass through the plant each day, using our state and local highways to get the product to market. The company expects to produce 4.2 million cases of yogurt per week using Idaho milk.

By any measure that's a success for Idaho by moving at the speed of business!

I want to thank Chobani and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya for showing such great confidence in Idaho, our economy, our dairy industry and especially in our people to make such a significant investment in our future. We're thrilled to have this globally recognized company as one of Idaho's newest corporate citizens.