Reed Sees Finger Lakes Agriculture, Manufacturing and Workforce in Sync
Press Release
Tom Reed was in Seneca County Thursday at Summit Milk Products for a tour of the growing facility that relocated to the area less than a year ago to the long-vacant site of the former Cadbury-Schweppes plant in Waterloo. Summit Milk manufactures ghee (a traditional Indian food product) as well as cheese curds, yogurt and other dairy products. Reed says the company made a wise investment in the local economy with the decision to manufacture products in the Finger Lakes.
"Summit is taking advantage of the kind of marriage between American agriculture and manufacturing that the Finger Lakes region is known for," Reed said. "By using local dairy to manufacture its products locally, we truly are "making it here and selling it there.' This is a company with tremendous potential that with the proper care, will continue to add jobs and investment in the community."
Summit was drawn to the area's dairy production capabilities and quality as well as the reputation of the local workforce when weighing its options on where to establish. The company already has agreements with multiple upstate New York dairy operations to provide the milk for their manufactured dairy products.
"Our area provides for that partnership and in return, we see a growing company invest in the local economy in the way of jobs," Reed said. "The company has a bright future in large part due to the unmatched workforce we have in the Finger Lakes. One of the best ways to attract more businesses to the area is to support the local workforce and show other companies exactly what we're capable of."
While visiting the facility, Reed met with company president Subodh Amin, Seneca County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jeff Shipley, company employees and Chamber members. The Seneca Chamber has been instrumental in filling the vacancy Cadbury-Schweppes left in 2009.
Summit Milk Products supports 18 local jobs currently and plans to employ 33 by the end of the year. Amin says the company plans to use its Waterloo facility as the blueprint for the company's global expansion.
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