Miller Points to Jobs, Workforce Training as Lehigh Valley Lands Major Dairy Investment

State Sen. Nick Miller said the Lehigh Valley’s ability to attract major employers is being strengthened by continued investment in site readiness, workforce training, and local infrastructure, pointing to Chobani’s planned $1.2 billion manufacturing operation in Upper Macungie Township as a recent example.

Chobani’s project is expected to create 900 full-time jobs over the next five years and expand markets for more than 4,000 Pennsylvania dairy farmers. The company is expected to begin production in 2027 at the former Keurig Dr Pepper facility.

Miller, a Democrat whose district includes parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties, said the announcement reflects the region’s manufacturing base, workforce, and location. He has been a prime sponsor of Pennsylvania’s PA SITES program, which supports site preparation and related infrastructure to make communities more competitive for large-scale investment.

“This is a major win for the Lehigh Valley and for Pennsylvania agriculture,” Miller said in a statement after the announcement. “Creating more than 900 family-sustaining jobs in our region while generating unprecedented new demand for Pennsylvania milk will strengthen our workforce, support our family farms and create economic opportunities across the Commonwealth.”

The announcement comes as Miller’s office has also highlighted state funding for workforce development in the region. In May, he announced $499,383 in Schools-to-Work grants across Lehigh and Northampton counties. The grants support programs that connect students and workers with career training in fields including electrical work, fiber optics, laboratory careers, and other in-demand occupations.

Separately, Miller announced more than $5.7 million for Lehigh Valley improvement projects, including investments tied to infrastructure, education, economic development, and quality of life.

For Miller, the case is that attracting a large employer is only part of the equation. The longer-term test will be whether the region can connect residents to the training, infrastructure, and local opportunities needed to benefit from that growth.