Lowville, NY, Sep 15, 2011 — NCPR is media sponsor for Saturday's 7th annual Lowville Cream Cheese Festival in downtown Lowville. The event celebrates Lowville's distinction as home of the world's largest cream cheese manufacturing plant. Todd Moe spoke with Eric Virkler, Director of Economic Development and Planning for Lewis County, who says the event includes music, art, contests and lots of cheese cake.  Go to full article

Sep 14, 2006 — NCPR is media sponsor for the second annual Lowville Cream Cheese Festival this Saturday. The day's activities include the unveiling of the world's largest cheesecake and all-day music. Co-organizer Eric Virkler told Todd Moe that Lowville is known for cream cheese production at the local Kraft plant.  Go to full article

May 06, 2005 — Governor Pataki announced yesterday that Coolbrands International has acquired Kraft Food's yogurt business and manufacturing facility in North Lawrence. It means more jobs, and could boost local dairy orders.  Go to full article

Dec 07, 2004 — A half-century relationship between Kraft Foods and the village of Canton is all but finished. Only a signed deed is left to finalize Kraft's sale of its cheese-making plant to Missouri-based Bristol Manufacturing. The company will manufacture and repair bulk cheese containers under the name St. Lawrence County Manufacturing and Properties. It expects to open in the spring with 10 to 15 workers. When Kraft closed last summer, it employed 65 people. David Sommerstein spoke with St. Lawrence County economic developer Raymond Fountain about the sale and its effect on the North Country dairy industry. He says the plant's new owners want another tenant.  Go to full article

Apr 15, 2004 — A Saratoga start-up company may be interested in Kraft's cheese plant in Canton. The plant is slated to close in July, putting 60 people out of work. But as David Sommerstein reports, company officials say a lot needs to happen before the interest becomes more than casual.  Go to full article

Apr 08, 2004 — When Kraft ceases cheese production in Canton, the economic effects will be significant, but not bad enough to force many farmers out of business. That's according to Chuck Nicholson, a senior research associate at Cornell University. He prepared a computer model of a Kraft shutdown based on national markets. It predicts a drop in milk prices, the lowest in St. Lawrence County, with ripples felt throughout the Northeast. Speaking with David Sommerstein, Nicholson estimates the average dairy farm could lose up to $12,000. New York could lose $18 million statewide.  Go to full article

Mar 11, 2004 — Two economic development programs to help agriculture in New York are moving forward. Facing the closure of the Kraft cheese plant this summer, the town of Canton is trying to get in early on both projects. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Feb 13, 2004 — In Canton and around St. Lawrence County, news that Kraft's cheese plant will close in June is sinking in. Some 60 people will lose their jobs. Several hundred more jobs could feel the ripple effects. But reaction to the shutdown has been subdued. And as David Sommerstein reports, the effects on the local economy may be more subtle than expected.  Go to full article

Feb 13, 2004 — Martha Foley talks with Michael Shuman, a nationally recognized expert in the field of sustainable economics, about what happens when a mainstay business leaves town.  Go to full article

Jan 29, 2004 — Martha Foley talks with Dr. Fred Kirschenmann, president of Kirschenmann Farms, a 3500-acre operation in North Dakota that was certified organic over 20 years ago. Kirschenmann is also director of The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Iowa. He's leading discussion today at Jefferson Community College.  Go to full article