Eight food and agriculture projects in Michigan are receiving Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grants to help expand and grow in the processed meat, milk, vegetables, beer, and cider segments.

The funds, approved by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development at its March meeting, are hoped to support the growth of innovative products that will lead to more efficient agricultural operations.  

These projects include Foremost Farms, which will invest $58 million for a new dairy processing facility in Greenville under their subsidiary Greenville Venture Partners LLC. The other seven projects will create a total of 67 new jobs and lead to an investment of about $9.3 million in seven areas throughout Michigan. 

“One of the great things about these grant-supported projects is that they illustrate the limitless opportunities Michigan has to grow the food and ag industry and create jobs in rural areas,” says MDARD Director Gordon Wenk. “The Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grants are more than just an investment in business. They’re an investment in the state’s economy, its people and its future.”

• Greenville Venture Partners LLC will be supported by a $500,000 performance-based grant from MDARD to construct a 55,000-square-foot dairy processing facility. The facility will help process a portion of the current excess milk supply in Michigan and will lead to the creation of 33 new jobs in Greenville. Its parent company, Foremost Farms, is a farmer-owned milk processing and marketing cooperative with about 1,500 members and annual sales of $1.5 billion. It is the nation’s eighth-largest cooperative and ranks 25th in annual sales among the top 100 U.S. dairy processors. It focuses on the creation of tailored and innovative milk solutions that meet the needs of customers around the world. 

• Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. LLC of Muskegon will receive a $50,000 performance-based grant to construct a new 15,000-square-foot office and brewery production facility, and new machinery and equipment in downtown Muskegon. The project will require an investment of $1.8 million and will lead to the creation of five new jobs in Muskegon. 

• Morgan Composting Inc. of Sears will receive a $50,000 performance-based grant for building renovations and new machinery and equipment to support the growth of a new pellet mill that will convert livestock waste into fertilizer material for the agriculture industry. The project will require an investment of $421,000 and will lead to the creation of five new jobs at a facility in Marion.

• Hausbeck Pickle Co. of Saginaw will receive a $50,000 performance-based grant for new machinery and equipment to package products in a stand-up pouch. The project will require an investment of $475,300 and will lead to the creation of 15 new jobs at its existing facility in Saginaw.

• Big O’ Smoke House of Caledonia will receive a $50,000 performance-based grant to expand its current operations and to add new machinery and equipment. The project will require an investment of $356,800 and will lead to the creation of seven new jobs at the existing facility in Caledonia. The project will include a 2,100-square-foot expansion and the addition of new smokers, chillers and freezers. The project will require an investment of $1.8 million and will lead to the creation of five new jobs in Muskegon. 

• RRR Meat Processing of Buckley will receive a $50,000 performance-based grant to construct and equip a new 6,000-square-foot, USDA-inspected meat processing facility in Grayling. The project will require an investment of $354,150 and will lead to the creation of 10 new jobs. 

• Vander Mill LLC in Grand Rapids will receive a $50,000 performance-based grant for new machinery and equipment to support its growth in cider products. The project will require an investment of $252,400 and will lead to the creation of 10 new jobs.

• Prolime Agriculture LLC of Washington will receive a $50,000 performance-based grant to construct and equip a new 38,000-square-foot facility to process pelletized lime and gypsum in Laingsburg. The project will require an investment of $5.7 million and will lead to the creation of 15 new jobs.   

“These grants will have a significant impact on the ability of these Michigan companies to grow and innovate, as well as support their communities with jobs and local investment,” says Peter Anastor, director of MDARD’s Agriculture Development Division. “We’re excited to watch these companies continue to grow, and we’re proud to help accelerate their efforts, which will continue to strengthen Michigan’s economy and its reputation as a national leader in food and agricultural production.” 

The Food and Agriculture Investment Program provides financial support to projects that help expand food and agriculture processing and enable growth in the industry and Michigan’s economy. Projects are selected based on their impact to the overall agriculture industry, and to food and agriculture growth and investment in Michigan.

Source: MDARD