ALBANY, NY (WENY)--WELLS ENTERPRISES, THE LARGEST ICE CREAM PRIVATELY OWNED MANUFACTURER IN THE UNITED STATES, IS LOOKING TO SPEND $425 MILLION ON A PROJECT DESIGNED TO INCREASE ICE CREAM OUTPUT TO MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THEIR CURRENT PRODUCTION. 

THE PROJECT HAS NOT ONLY BEEN MET WITH SUPPORT FROM NEW YORKERS WITH A SWEET TOOTH—ITS ALSO PROVING TO BE MUSIC TO THE EARS OF NEW YORK GOV. KATHY HOCHUL. 
 
 
“The people around this state love the ice cream that comes out of this factory. They just love it. This name is associated with things that just put a smile on people's faces,” said Hochul. 
 
HOCHUL ISN'T JUST GIVINg VOCAL SUPPORT—THE EMPIRE STATE IS INVESTED IN THE PROJECT TO THE TUNE OF $12 MILLION IN EXCELSIOR JOBS PROGRAM TAX CREDITS.
 
ON TOP OF THAT—THE PROJECT ALSO GOT A $6 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR JOB CREATION.  
 
ALONG WITH CREATING ICE CREAM—THE HOPE IS THAT THE PROJECT WILL CREATE HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS AND HELP DAIRY FARMERS ACROSS THE STATE. 
 
“This is going to be I think great for dairy farmers throughout New York State,” said Sen. George Borrello (R-57th Senate District):  
 
Some advocates agreed saying this investment helps dairy farmers continue to grow the state's already prosperous dairy production.  
 
“It will help find a market within New York State for New York State produced milk. New York is the fifth largest producer of milk in the United States, and I believe it’s fourth for ice cream so it's a nice merging of two leading markets for agriculture and helps us maintain a robust agriculture system in New York,” said Deanna Fox, CEO NY Farm Bureau. 
 
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FACILITY IS UNDERWAY AND IS AT THIS POINT EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY SOMETIME IN LATE 2025.