Western NY Cheese Maker Plans to Expand

Empire Specialty Cheese Co., a maker of ricotta and mozzarella cheese, says it’s retooling an idle food-processing facility to make more cheese.

Empire Specialty Cheese Co., a maker of ricotta and mozzarella cheese, says it’s retooling an idle food-processing facility to make more cheese.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Empire Specialty Cheese Co., a maker of ricotta and mozzarella cheese, says it’s retooling an idle food-processing facility in western New York to make more cheese.

Company owner Antimo Caparco says the company is using tax credits to add jobs and expand its product line to include various cubed and shredded cheeses.

Empire Specialty has purchased the former AFA meat-processing plant in Ashville, Chautauqua County. Renovations are expected to be done next year.

Empire State Development says it’s providing $650,000 in job tax credits, with the $6.37 million project helping retain the company’s 46 full-time jobs in New York and expected to create 204 jobs over five years.

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