Senators Stabenow, Levin Announce Funding for Michigan State University Food Processing Plant

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Carl Levin today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) will support the construction of a leading independent food processing facility at Michigan State University. Michigan State University's Food Processing and Innovation Center project will receive nearly $3 million to renovate an existing building on campus where businesses that employ 10 to 100 people can grow and develop.

"Today's announcement is another critical step to help small businesses in Michigan get their products on the market," said Stabenow. "When we grow things here and make things here, we create jobs here. Building an innovative food facility will create new job opportunities in Michigan's agriculture industry and help move our economy forward."

"Agriculture is an essential part of Michigan's economy, and this grant will help promote new opportunities for Michigan growers and small businesses," Levin said.

The new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food Drug Administration (FDA) certified food processing facility is set to be Michigan's leading independent food processing facility targeting second stage food processing companies looking to create new products and product line extensions to sell into the retail supply chain. It is estimated that this project will create 327 jobs and leverage $273 million in private investment.