Italian Cheese-Maker Nuova Castelli Group Opens First US Plant

An Italian cheese producer, founded 124 years ago, is opening its first plant on U.S. soil in Chautauqua County, saving an existing workforce and a critical source of business for dozens of local dairy providers.

A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday in the Town of Ashville, where Nuova Castelli Group has acquired the former Empire Specialty Cheese facility. To help facilitate the purchase, newly-formed U.S. subsidiary Castelli America is taking advantage of a $500,000 grant from Empire State Development and a $5.5 million loan.

"That really made the difference," said State Senator Catharine Young, who was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "On top of that, there were several issues that we had to work through. The previous owners were having financial difficulty. There are environmental issues that had to be resolved.

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