The former Chobani yogurt manufacturing facility in Norwich, NY is undergoing a major 82-acre industrial site demolition that will clear the way for new economic development in Chenango County. According to WBNG, published January 7, 2026, the site at Woods Corners—which housed a Procter & Gamble plant for decades before Chobani acquired it in the mid-2010s—is actively being demolished with the goal of completing the process by the end of spring 2026.
The 82-acre Norwich industrial property was once a vibrant manufacturing center, employing many Southern Tier residents over multiple decades. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility has seen minimal use. Chobani's decision to exit the site reflects broader corporate restructuring: the company is building new plants in Rome, NY and Idaho, making the Norwich location redundant for their current operations.
"I think they didn't have a use for it at the end of the day," said Tyler Oliver, Director of Economic Development at Commerce Chenango. "They're building a new plant in Rome and a plant out in Idaho, and from an organizational standpoint, there wasn't much use there for Chobani for what they needed anymore."
Chobani is fully funding the multimillion-dollar demolition effort, taking responsibility not only for building removal but also for addressing environmental and infrastructure issues that will make the site attractive for future use.
Commerce Chenango and the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) are collaborating with Chobani to prepare the site for its next chapter. A critical component of this effort is the $50,000 Empire State Development grant recently awarded to the region. This funding supports feasibility studies for extending municipal water and sewer infrastructure to the 82-acre site—a crucial step in attracting potential industrial tenants.
"They've been working with us at the IDA on what is the best next use for that site," Oliver explained. "We were recently awarded a $50,000 grant from Empire State Development to study the feasibility of extending municipal water and sewer to that site, which would make it shovel-ready."
Norwich and Chenango County are positioning the newly cleared 82-acre site to attract advanced manufacturing operations, particularly in two growing sectors:
"There is a lot going on here in upstate New York right now, especially with chips and batteries," Oliver said. "If we can attract a business that can support one of those initiatives here in Chenango County, I think that will be great."
Once demolition is complete and infrastructure upgrades are finished, the 82-acre Norwich property offers several competitive advantages:
The active demolition project is well underway, with the target completion date of end of spring 2026. This timeline ensures the site will be ready for marketing and development activity by summer 2026—positioning Norwich to capitalize on growing demand for advanced manufacturing sites in the region.
Once the site is cleared, Commerce Chenango will actively pitch the property to prospective companies. As of now, no specific development plan is in place, but officials are confident the combination of location, infrastructure investment, and available acreage will attract quality industrial tenants.
The Norwich demolition and redevelopment effort represents a broader regional strategy to revitalize industrial communities across upstate New York. Rather than allowing abandoned manufacturing sites to deteriorate, strategic demolition and environmental remediation unlock sites for modern industrial use.
This project aligns with New York State's focus on:
Chobani's decision to fully fund demolition and environmental remediation demonstrates corporate commitment to responsible exit from communities. By managing asbestos abatement, infrastructure upgrades, and complete site clearing, the company is leaving the site in a condition that enables, rather than hinders, future development.
The demolition of the 82-acre Norwich Chobani facility is more than property destruction—it's an investment in regional economic renewal. With state funding supporting infrastructure readiness, a clear demolition timeline, and active marketing efforts underway, the site is positioned to attract significant new industrial investment in 2026 and beyond.
Industry Insight: Westside Construction Group brings extensive experience managing large-scale industrial demolition, site remediation, and infrastructure projects across Upstate New York. From environmental assessment to complete facility removal, WCG ensures sites are properly prepared for redevelopment. For your industrial property challenges: (585) 440-0304 or www.buildwcg.com
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