Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has broken ground on a $40m ingredient processing facility in Cass City, Michigan.
When completed, the 33,000ft² plant will process approximately three million pounds of fresh milk every day. The processed milk will be supplied by DFA member farms in the Michigan Thumb area.
Initially, the plant will produce condensed whole and skim milk, as well as cream, the company said.
The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) has approved a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant and a $1m Community Development Block Grant, while the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is contributing $300,000 in corporate funds.
In addition, MSF has awarded a new 15-year Agriculture Processing Renaissance Zone designation to Tuscola County and Cass City for the project.
DFA executive vice president Mark Korsmeyer said that the project is consistent with DFA's strategic plan, creating supply chain efficiencies and increasing commercial investments to bring increased value to farmer owners.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams said, "This new plant underscores the growth and continued expansion opportunities for Michigan's food and agriculture companies. The plant will not only increase our dairy processing capabilities in the state, but it will also create jobs and support the Thumb region."
DFA claims that the plant is designed to recover and re-use water in plant cleanup operations.
When completed, the 33,000ft² plant will process approximately three million pounds of fresh milk every day. The processed milk will be supplied by DFA member farms in the Michigan Thumb area.
Initially, the plant will produce condensed whole and skim milk, as well as cream, the company said.
The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) has approved a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant and a $1m Community Development Block Grant, while the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is contributing $300,000 in corporate funds.
In addition, MSF has awarded a new 15-year Agriculture Processing Renaissance Zone designation to Tuscola County and Cass City for the project.
DFA executive vice president Mark Korsmeyer said that the project is consistent with DFA's strategic plan, creating supply chain efficiencies and increasing commercial investments to bring increased value to farmer owners.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams said, "This new plant underscores the growth and continued expansion opportunities for Michigan's food and agriculture companies. The plant will not only increase our dairy processing capabilities in the state, but it will also create jobs and support the Thumb region."
DFA claims that the plant is designed to recover and re-use water in plant cleanup operations.
