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Alpina to Build Batavia Plant

Business First - by James Fink

April 8, 2011

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Batavia has landed a new manufacturing plant that will house operations for a South American company that specializes in producing high end dairy products.

Sources have said that Alpina Foods, based in Bogota, Columbia, will construct a 28,000-square-foot plant in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park that will employ 50 people initially. The project represents a $15 million investment by Alpina.

Construction is expected to start by August, and the plant should be operational by next May.

The Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park is located just off of Route 5 in Batavia, not far from the Genesee County Fairgrounds.

Batavia was selected over several other sites, including at least three in northern Pennsylvania.

A handsome incentive package offered by the Empire State Development Corp. and the Genesee County Industrial Development Agency, and tax breaks through the state's Excelsior Program helped cement the deal, as did an aggressive pitch by the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise. The BNE and county IDA have been courting Alpina for more than six months.

Batavia was ultimately selected because of the incentive package but also its proximity to milk and other dairy products it needs to produce its line of foods.

Alpina primarily makes yogurt, but it also produces specialty cheeses, baby food, creams, butter and dairy-based desserts. Alpina's U.S. headquarters are in Miami.

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