Conklin Warehouse Now Operated By Balford Farms

Balford Farms of New Jersey has taken over operations of a Broome County dairy products distribution facility.

The Conklin warehouse is used to serve Crowley Foods customers in the Northeast.

Massachusetts-based HP Hood had announced plans to close the Conklin Road site. But Balford Farms reached a deal to transfer the Crowley dairy operations.

About 32 people are employed at the facility.

HP Hood spokeswoman Lynne Bohan said the transaction was finalized on Monday. Balford is licensing the Crowley brand from Hood.

Bohan said the Hood corporate office on Pennsylvania Avenue on Binghamton's South Side is remaining open. That site handles payroll and other services for Hood.

About 30 people work at the local corporate office.

Hood closed the historic Binghamton Crowley milk processing plant on Conklin Avenue in 2012. That move resulted in the loss of 54 jobs.