October 30, 2006

ZEELAND - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today presented grant awards to two Zeeland businesses for agricultural innovation. Walters Gardens received $87,750 to install alternative energy heat sources for a greenhouse and Zeeland Food Services, Inc. received $50,000 to conduct research on the Japanese market and to gain brand awareness for Zeeland's soybean meal and the soy sauce made from the meal. These companies are two of 40 recipients statewide to receive an Agricultural Innovation Grant. Proposals submitted in the competitive program could mean as many as 267 new jobs and over $43 million in capital investment for Michigan.

"Walters Gardens and Zeeland Food Services highlight the diversity in Michigan's $60.1 billion agriculture industry and its potential for growth," said Mitch Irwin, MDA Director. "These grants will help Michigan entrepreneurs put innovation into production and create jobs across the state."

The Agricultural Innovation Grants are part of an aggressive effort to spur growth in several economic sectors and is a key component of the 21st Century Jobs Fund. The 21st Century Jobs Fund is a $2 billion, ten-year initiative proposed by Granholm, approved by the Michigan Legislature, and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to accelerate the diversification of Michigan's economy. 

Grants from the Agricultural Innovation Fund, also known as the Julian-Stille Value-added Program, are competitive and designed to establish, retain, expand, attract or develop valued-added agricultural processing and related production operations in Michigan. MDA reviewed more than 200 proposals and recommended the funding of 40 proposals, which cover 27 Michigan counties .

MDA received a total of 225 grant proposals with requests totaling more than $36 million. All proposals were evaluated and scored based upon: economic impact on the community; economic impact or enhancement to agricultural product and/or service; amount of project innovation or initiative; clarity of project proposal with specific and measurable outcomes; and management team experience and expertise. Categories for grant awards included: Technical Assistance, Facility Improvements, Market Research/Development, Business Plan Development, and Facility/Land Purchase or Construction.

For program information or to view a list of Agricultural Innovation Grant winners, visit www.michigan.gov/mda