Three companies in Northern Michigan were among 26 in the state to receive grant funding from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on Thursday, Sept. 18.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded over $1.8 million of Underserved, Value Added and Regional Food System Grants to Michigan producers, processors and community development organizations.
“This grant program is just one example of how MDARD improves quality of life for Michiganders by bolstering the food systems and agriculture businesses that sustain our health and prosperity,” MDARD Director Tim Boring said in a statement. “Today’s grants are strategic investments that will enhance the production and delivery of locally grown foods while creating more than 100 jobs across the state. We’re proud to support these businesses in delivering for their communities.”
The Northern Michigan companies receiving funding include Bear Creek Organics LLC of Petoskey, which received $82,910 for expanding refrigerated transportation and refrigerated cold storage capacity to support current and future business demand and increase farmer access to new markets. This project will generate two full-time and four part-time jobs.
Boss Dairy Farms Inc., which does business asCharlevoix Cheese Company in Charlevoix, will use $94,042 for purchasing automated cheese-cutting equipment and packaging supplies to expand cheese processing and keep up with demand. This project is expected to generate one full-time and one part-time job.
By the Light of Dayof Traverse City was given $68,528 for purchasing equipment critical to the efficient mechanization to grow and produce the highest quality herbs, flowers and fruit, immediately improving efficiency by 75%, and expand production volume by 60%. This project will generate two full-time and two part-time jobs.
Since 2019, MDARD has awarded more than $11.2 million of Underserved, Value Added and Regional Food System Grants. The grants were part of more than $184 million of investments MDARD delivered over the past seven years to help Michigan communities create jobs, build infrastructure and promote agricultural development.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: MDARD grant money to help Northern Michigan agri-businesses to expand
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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