AMPI to close Rochester dairy plant

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) announced Friday it will be ceasing production at its Rochester plant. Seventy-five workers will be affected.

The Rochester cheese facility, located at 700 First Avenue Southeast, is one of two plants AMPI plants being shuttered; the other is in Arlington, Iowa.

The New Ulm-based dairy cooperative said the decision is as a result of the continued decline in dairy farms and milk production in the region. AMPI had operated in Rochester for a half century.

Moving forward, the company plans to reroute the milk previously processed in Arlington and Rochester to plants in the surrounding area, including its cheese plant in Blair, Wisconsin.

The announcement from AMPI says it is working with affected employees to provide them access to resources, training, and opportunities to apply for available jobs at its other facilities in the region.

As for the site itself, the company plans to sell of the land — which is located along South Broadway, not far from the former Kmart/Salvation Army site. The 3.3-acre AMPI property is valued at about $1.5 million.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.