Grants approved for construction of pork processing facility

The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved $12.5 million in grants to support the construction of a 550,000-square-foot pork-processing facility in Branch County.
The Clemens Food Group operation will acquire 450 acres at the southeast corner of I- 69 and Jonesville Road in Coldwater Township. It is expected to create more than 800 jobs and $255 million in total investments.
Grant money will go to Coldwater Township for infrastructure improvements, land acquisition and workforce development.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development worked with a group of Michigan pork producers for about three years to consider the merits of putting a pork processing plant in the state.
In addition to the $12.5 million grant, the City of Coldwater added $4.5 million commitment for improvements. Other state economic incentives will raise the incentive package to $55 million.
In April, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development approached the Branch County Economic Growth Alliance to submit a proposal, which was selected by the Hatfield, Pa.-based, family-owned firm.