Chobani breaks ground on new R&D center
According to USA Today, Chobani, the maker of Greek yogurt, has announced it is building a $21 million, 70,000-sq-ft research center to accompany its existing facility that already employs about 1,000 people in Twin Falls, Idaho.
According to USA Today, Chobani, the maker of Greek yogurt, has announced it is building a $21 million, 70,000-sq-ft research center to accompany its existing facility that already employs about 1,000 people in Twin Falls, Idaho. The new facility will serve employees, guests, and house the company’s global R&D team.
Chobani first opened in Twin Falls in 2012, making a $750 million investment in the community. Hamdi Ulukaya, Chobani’s founder and CEO, has said building and opening the first plant required extensive community training so the company could hire qualified local workers. Now, he said, that workforce is helping support other food companies in the area, including the maker of Clif Bars.
Idaho’s unemployment rate has dropped from 6.3% to 2.4% since Chobani arrived in Twin Falls, and the company has worked with government-run refugee centers to hire about 300 displaced people who have been resettled in the area.