By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
A subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company plans to create at least 150 new jobs in Coopersville as a result of a $650 million investment approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board.
The MSF board on March 24 approved an investment into updating and enhancing aging infrastructure in Coopersville, as well as support for an Alternative State Essential Services Assessment abatement to support an expansion of fairlife, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola that produces ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and protein shakes.
“This is a huge win for Michigan, and proof that when we work together to improve our infrastructure, train our workers, and revitalize our places, we can compete with anyone,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release.
The MSF board approved a $17 million Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) grant for the city of Coopersville to use on improvements to a regional water system supporting residents and businesses in the city as well as nearby Polkton and Allendale townships. The current system is at 80 percent capacity and more than 50 years old.
“The West Michigan agribusiness corridor is a significant component of Michigan’s overall economy, and it is imperative it has the infrastructure it needs to produce high-quality, high-recognition products that people across the nation know and enjoy,” said Quentin Messer, Jr. chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the MSF board.
Coopersville City Manager Dennis Luce said the SSRP grant will strengthen Coopersville’s water system capacity and reliability, both now and in the future.
“This project is not only about improving essential services for our residents and businesses, it also positions us for continued economic growth,” Luce said. “In particular, it supports the expansion of fairlife, one of our largest local employers, which is a significant win for our agricultural community here in West Michigan and for dairy suppliers across the entire state.
“This is the kind of forward-looking investment that benefits our city, our region, and Michigan as a whole.”
The economic development organization Lakeshore Advantage worked with fairlife and the city of Coopersville on the investment package.
“Investments like this strengthen the region well beyond a single project,” Lakeshore Advantage president Jennifer Owens said. “The combination of private investment and public infrastructure improvements helps address longstanding capacity constraints, supports existing employers, and creates the conditions needed for future business growth and job creation across the community. It also builds momentum for the Lakeshore’s growing agribusiness and food production industry cluster, where reliable
infrastructure and a strong supply chain are essential.”
Zeeland Record
A subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company plans to create at least 150 new jobs in Coopersville as a result of a $650 million investment approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board.
The MSF board on March 24 approved an investment into updating and enhancing aging infrastructure in Coopersville, as well as support for an Alternative State Essential Services Assessment abatement to support an expansion of fairlife, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola that produces ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and protein shakes.
“This is a huge win for Michigan, and proof that when we work together to improve our infrastructure, train our workers, and revitalize our places, we can compete with anyone,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a press release.
The MSF board approved a $17 million Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) grant for the city of Coopersville to use on improvements to a regional water system supporting residents and businesses in the city as well as nearby Polkton and Allendale townships. The current system is at 80 percent capacity and more than 50 years old.
“The West Michigan agribusiness corridor is a significant component of Michigan’s overall economy, and it is imperative it has the infrastructure it needs to produce high-quality, high-recognition products that people across the nation know and enjoy,” said Quentin Messer, Jr. chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the MSF board.
Coopersville City Manager Dennis Luce said the SSRP grant will strengthen Coopersville’s water system capacity and reliability, both now and in the future.
“This project is not only about improving essential services for our residents and businesses, it also positions us for continued economic growth,” Luce said. “In particular, it supports the expansion of fairlife, one of our largest local employers, which is a significant win for our agricultural community here in West Michigan and for dairy suppliers across the entire state.
“This is the kind of forward-looking investment that benefits our city, our region, and Michigan as a whole.”
The economic development organization Lakeshore Advantage worked with fairlife and the city of Coopersville on the investment package.
“Investments like this strengthen the region well beyond a single project,” Lakeshore Advantage president Jennifer Owens said. “The combination of private investment and public infrastructure improvements helps address longstanding capacity constraints, supports existing employers, and creates the conditions needed for future business growth and job creation across the community. It also builds momentum for the Lakeshore’s growing agribusiness and food production industry cluster, where reliable
infrastructure and a strong supply chain are essential.”
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