Watertown Post – July 8, 2025
A new era may soon dawn for Jefferson County’s dairy industry, as a Texas-based dairy company eyes the Town of Watertown for a state-of-the-art $250 million processing facility.
Southern Dairy, known for producing high-grade milk powders and whey-based nutritional products, is considering a 40-acre parcel just outside the city for what could be one of the largest private investments in the county’s history.
The proposed 300,000-square-foot plant would sit on land currently owned by local farmer Ron Robbins of Robbins Family Farm near Sackets Harbor. The facility would process raw milk, skim milk, and whey from regional dairy farms, converting it into shelf-stable products such as infant formula and protein supplements.
“This project could be transformative for the agricultural landscape of the North Country,” said Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator Jay Matteson, who noted that Southern Dairy has been exploring the region since 2023. Company executives now reportedly visit monthly.
The project’s design-build and general contracting responsibilities fall to The Lawman Group of Companies, a Sackets Harbor-based firm. CEO Corry Lawler highlighted the strategic benefits of the site, including its proximity to a CSX railyard for outbound shipping and the presence of 115kV transmission lines to meet high power demands.
“This site gives them everything they need: logistics, infrastructure, and access to local milk producers. It checks all the boxes,” Lawler said.
Although Southern Dairy is still considering alternative sites in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions, sources familiar with the situation say Jefferson County remains the front-runner.
The permitting process, now underway, is expected to be lengthy. Still, developer and project consultant Mike Lundy expressed optimism: “We’re confident that local and state agencies will come together to move this forward efficiently.”
If the company chooses the Watertown location and secures regulatory approvals, construction could begin in early 2026 and take two years to complete. The project would generate an estimated 200 construction jobs and employ 80 people once operational — many in high-paying, technically skilled positions.
Owen Mansill, CEO of Southern Dairy, emphasized the economic impact: “We’re not just talking about jobs; we’re talking about careers in a facility that reflects the future of dairy processing.”
Local officials and developers agree that the potential benefits would ripple across the North Country, from job creation to expanded demand for locally produced milk.
Matteson summed it up: “Expanding our capacity to process milk here at home makes our entire regional farming economy stronger. This is the kind of investment that could define the next chapter for Jefferson County agriculture.”
More updates to come as the project winds its way through the approval process.
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