O’burg Officials Work to Save Jobs at Troubled Cheese Plant

Ogdensburg officials are optimistic a new buyer will soon take over the financially troubled Ogdensburg Kosher cheese plant.

City officials are working with a handful of potential buyers for the troubled Ahava-St. Lawrence Food cheese plant.

The plant has been facing serious financial problems for the last several months and now the facility has had its operating permit suspended by the state for alleged contamination, including high levels of bacteria.

State Agriculture and Markets inspectors have already seized 25,000 pounds of contaminated cheese while tests are being conducted on other inventory to make sure it is fit for consumption.

The city took over ownership of the plant and some of the cheese-making equipment for unpaid taxes and loans.

Emergency roof repairs are being made to stop water from leaking into the production and cheese storage areas where the contamination occurred.

Only a skeleton crew of maintenance workers remains on the job.

City Councilor and Deputy Mayor Mike Morley says protecting jobs is a main priority.

Ahava already faces a March 10 eviction by the city over $800,000 in unpaid taxes and utility bills, as well as close to $90,000 in unpaid back rent.

The latest problems at the plant need to be quickly rectified, city officials say, not only for the 30 plus jobs, but for the effect of a prolonged shutdown on cheese making equipment.

A March 3 state hearing will determine whether Ahava’s operating license at its Ogdensburg plant will be revoked.