Farm Progress

The 75,000-square-foot manufacturing plant should be operational by December.

Jennifer Kiel, Editor, Michigan Farmer

January 9, 2017

2 Min Read
NEW MILL: Cargill representatives and local officials gather at the groundbreaking ceremony in Owosso Dec. 9.

Cargill’s animal nutrition business had 43 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. None were in Michigan, until now. The company broke ground on a 75,000-square–foot, $19 million facility in Owosso in Shiawassee County Dec. 9, and expects to have it completed within a year.

“We chose Owosso because it’s close to the dairy market, ingredients, workforce and rail availability,” says Cargill’s Julie Abrahamzon, dairy sales leader. “Our investment in Michigan is a positive move not only for our dairy customers, but for the overall agricultural economy in Michigan.”

The 20-acre site at 1509 W. Oliver St. was acquired from the city of Owosso. The company plans to hire eight employees for the startup.

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SNEAK PEEK: This sketch displays the new 75,000-square-foot Cargill manufacturing facility locating in Owosso.

“The city of Owosso and the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership [SEDP] have been wonderful partners on this important investment project for us,” says Tom Taylor, a commercial director for Cargill’s animal feed business in the U.S. “Additionally, this centrally located facility will enable us to better serve the growing dairy population within Michigan, which is one of the top 10 dairy-producing markets in the U.S.”

The next closest Cargill plant is in Mentone, Ind. The mill is being built to meet the company’s anticipated growth projection over the next 10 years, according to Abrahamzon. “We have additional space available in the site plans for future expansion,” she adds.

In addition to working with the city of Owosso, the SEDP cited several partners in helping move the project forward, including Sonoco, Michigan Economic Development Corp., Great Lakes Central Railroad, Consumers Energy, CB Richard Ellis, Covenant Eyes, Michigan Department of Transportation, Rowe, Fessler-Bowman, Pumford Construction, and VAA Engineering, Planning and Design Services.

 “We think this is a great fit or our community given our agricultural and manufacturing heritage, central location in the state, and access to important transportation assets like the Great Lakes Central Railroad and Interstate 69,” says Justin Horvath, SEDP president and CEO. “We wish Cargill the very best in this endeavor and look forward to helping them succeed in our community for many years to come.”

About the Author(s)

Jennifer Kiel

Editor, Michigan Farmer

While Jennifer is not a farmer and did not grow up on a farm, "I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone with more appreciation for the people who grow our food and fiber, live the lifestyles and practice the morals that bind many farm families," she says.

Before taking over as editor of Michigan Farmer in 2003, she served three years as the manager of communications and development for the American Farmland Trust Central Great Lakes Regional Office in Michigan and as director of communications with Michigan Agri-Business Association. Previously, she was the communications manager at Michigan Farm Bureau's state headquarters. She also lists 10 years of experience at six different daily and weekly Michigan newspapers on her impressive resume.

Jennifer lives in St. Johns with her two daughters, Elizabeth, 19, and Emily 16.

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