OGDENSBURG, N.Y. -- The City of Ogdensburg is now in the cheese business after the former owner of its local cheese plant failed to pay about a half a million dollars in taxes.

"We were owed $500,000, so we took ownership of a $1.8 million asset. So I think we made the right decision to move forward with taking the asset," said Arthur Sciorra, Ogdensburg City Manager.

The city took control of the property not only to protect its financial investment, but also to keep the plant running, which will help the city economically.

"Had it proceeded the way it was looking to go, it would have resulted in the plant being closed, the equipment being sold at auction and we would end up with a vacant building in the city of Ogdensburg, and 50 or 60 people without jobs," said Sciorra.

And the city doesn't have to worry about running the plant itself.

Sciorra said, "There was a tenant that was leasing the property from the previous owner and that tenant continues to produce cheese in the plant."

But that doesn't mean Ogdensburg plans to be in the cheese business for long.

"Our plan is to try to find a new owner that is interested in the cheese as a business," said Sciorra.

The city of Ogdensburg is currently working to figure out if it will be paid the money it's owed in delinquent taxes. Our attempts to contact the former owner's lawyer were unsuccessful.