Governor Whitmer Announces Major Investment for 150 New Jobs at Coopersville Dairy Facility

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board approved substantial support to enhance aging infrastructure in the City of Coopersville (Ottawa County) and to support an expansion of fairlife, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company.

The MSF Board approved two key investments: a $17 million Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) grant for the City of Coopersville to use on improvements to a regional water system, and an Alternative State Essential Services Assessment (ASESA) abatement valued at approximately $3.9 million to support fairlife's facility expansion.

With this support, fairlife plans to invest up to $650 million in its Coopersville facility and expects to create 150 new jobs, according to a release from Governor Whitmer's office.

"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," said Governor Whitmer. "fairlife's investment will create 150 new jobs and power $650 million into west Michigan's economy. 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."

Aging Water System Gets $17 Million Upgrade

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 of Coopersville, Polkton Charter Township, and Allendale Charter Township.

The current water system is at 80% capacity and is over 50 years old, creating constraints for both current operations and future growth. The infrastructure upgrades will include adding a 20-inch transmission main and additional water storage tanks, which will add the ability to provide 1.1 million additional gallons of water per day.

"Investments like this strengthen the region well beyond a single project," said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. "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."

The infrastructure updates will also complement upgrades underway with the Southeast Regional Force Main project and may offer additional water capacity to Polkton Township, Allendale Charter Township, and Tallmadge Township should those communities choose to utilize it.

The water system currently relies on a single, aging 16-inch water main that is more than 50 years old. This line has been an obstacle to industrial growth, housing development, and commercial growth throughout the region. The state grant serves as the initial funding to begin a three-phase water infrastructure upgrade plan estimated to cost nearly $47 million. The additional infrastructure costs will be covered by major water users and community service agreements.

fairlife Adds Two Production Lines, Expands by 245,000 Square Feet

The Coca-Cola Company plans to expand its fairlife facility in Coopersville by adding two state-of-the-art, high-speed production lines and adding roughly 245,000 square feet of production space.

fairlife, which produces ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and protein shakes, is experiencing significant growth and needs to expand production to meet growing consumer demand. The project is receiving an Alternative State Essential Services Assessment (ASESA) abatement approved by the MSF Board, valued at approximately $3.9 million.

"Long-term partnerships like these are evidence that companies see the strength of Michigan's food, agriculture and forestry industry and want to leverage its success," said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring. "This investment also reinforces our mission at the state of improving quality of life for Michiganders: We're committed to attracting projects that improve infrastructure and value-added processing in a way that benefits our industry, our communities and regional economies."

The company's Coopersville production facility has been part of the community since 2012 and currently employs more than 400 people, making it one of the state's largest dairy-related food processors. It has expanded several times over the past decade, strengthening and enhancing Michigan's $125.8 billion food and agriculture economy.

During today's meeting, the MSF Board also approved several additional projects:

  • A separate request by Muskegon County to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure
  • A Michigan Business Development Program grant to La Colombe, a Chobani company
  • A Michigan Community Revitalization Loan for 109 apartments in Grand Rapids

Broader Economic Impact

The strengthened water system and added capacity will help retain and grow Michigan's food production and agriculture economy by supporting employers that rely on predictable, high-capacity water service. Improvements will encourage a healthier tax base and long-term community revitalization.

"Ottawa County relies on strong regional partnerships to provide water service throughout the county, and this project is another great example of the benefits to that approach," said Patrick Staskiewicz, Public Utilities Director at Ottawa County Road Commission. "There are direct benefits to Coopersville and to the Polkton township residents along the route. With a large industrial user like fairlife, this project will also help to keep rates stable for the users of the Grand Rapids Water System and the Muskegon County Wastewater System."

The investment also has ripple effects throughout the dairy industry. For each direct job at the fairlife facility, 10 additional dairy jobs are projected to help supply the increased capacity. Over 7,000 jobs with average earnings of approximately $87,000 per job are supported by the food manufacturing cluster in the Lakeshore region (Ottawa and Allegan Counties), according to Lightcast.

"We are thrilled to offer our support to the City of Coopersville and fairlife for projects that will impact every component of our 'Make it in Michigan' economic development strategy focused on People, Places, and Projects," said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the MSF Board. "We are grateful for fairlife's vote of confidence in Michigan and commend Lakeshore Advantage for their teamwork in securing this win."

Investment and Job Numbers Subject to Performance Agreement

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation notes that investment and job numbers represent the commitment made by the business to the state of Michigan. Terms will be formalized in a performance-based project agreement, with funds disbursed as reimbursement based on eligible expenditures, and are subject to amendment or cancellation if the commitments are not met due to risks or uncertainties.

The MEDC provides a public annual report on agreements and their status to the state legislature.

About fairlife

fairlife is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company that produces ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and protein shakes. The company's Coopersville production facility has been part of the community since 2012 and currently employs more than 400 people.

About Lakeshore Advantage

Lakeshore Advantage is the economic development organization for Ottawa, Allegan, and Van Buren counties in west Michigan. The organization works to attract, retain, and expand businesses in the region through strategic partnerships and infrastructure development.

About the Michigan Strategic Fund

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) is a state agency that supports job creation, economic development, and community revitalization across Michigan through business attraction programs, infrastructure grants, and investment incentives.