Food Processing and Agribusiness

ALL THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS

On the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in one of the most agriculturally dense regions of the country, Muskegon County has all the right ingredients to make it a food processing powerhouse.

Download the Muskegon County Food Processing Brochure

FRUITS, VEGETABLES, GRAINS AND DAIRY GALORE

With strategic access to prime fruit and vegetable growers and proximity to dairies, crop farmers and other agricultural suppliers, Muskegon County puts food processors close to the source. Companies can tap into the output of 500 farms in the county and more than 3,600 farms in a four-county area. Apples, blueberries, cherries and cucumbers are among the area’s top crops, along with milk and grains, most of which is currently being exported out of the county.

BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES ON THE RISE

The rapid success of Muskegon’s Pigeon Hill Brewery, Unruly Brewing Company, Fetch Brewing Company, Bardic Wells Meadery and 18th Amendment Spirits Company are testament to the area’s attraction for breweries and distilleries. The raw materials, the workforce, the right real estate at affordable costs and loyal and thirsty local patrons have given these companies the boost they need to prosper and grown in Muskegon County.

ABUNDANT FRESH, POTABLE WATER AND WASTEWATER CAPACITY

Muskegon County offers food processors unrivaled access to plentiful fresh water from Lake Michigan and an underutilized wastewater treatment system. The county’s massive land-application treatment facility can provide companies up to 30 million gallons per day (MGD) of excess capacity, with low wastewater charges and low surcharge rates for high-strength wastes – all in an environmentally-friendly way that can cut production costs.

West MI Shoreline Food Processing Initiative

The West Michigan Shoreline Food Processing Initiative was established in October 2017 with support from the Consumers Energy Foundation in cooperation with the Community Foundation of Muskegon County, the City of Muskegon, Muskegon County, and many other organizations all committed to “planting the seeds of connectivity” throughout West Michigan.