MDARD, MI Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development Award Nearly Half a Million Dollars in Grant Funding

Latest grant awards will expand production, improve facilities, create jobs

LANSING, Mich. — Today, the Michigan Commission on Agriculture and Rural Development voted to approve $415,000 in Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grants to Burnette Foods, Inc; Community Cuts, LLC; and Meating Hall, LLC. The funding, which is awarded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), will allow these companies to increase capacity and product offerings, expand their facilities and create 15 new jobs.

"MDARD works every day to create economic opportunities for communities throughout Michigan,"  said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "Through the Food and Agriculture Investment Program, MDARD helps Michigan businesses grow, hire more workers and strengthen our state's agricultural economy."

MDARD is awarding a $190,000 FAIP grant to Burnette Foods, Inc., which will support the company s $5 million expansion project. The expansion will allow the Van Buren County company to increase production capacity and annual apple processing by 11.5 million pounds and create ten new jobs.

"We are honored to receive this support from MDARD. This grant enables us to invest in advanced food manufacturing technologies and sustainable practices that will improve efficiency, ensure food safety, and support local supply chains,"  said William B. Sherman, Hartford Site Manager, Burnette Foods, Inc. "This funding not only strengthens our capacity to meet growing demand but also reinforces our commitment to quality, innovation, and community development. We're grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the region s economic growth and food security."

MDARD is awarding a $125,000 FAIP grant to Community Cuts, LLC to support the construction of a $1 million processing plant. The nearly 8,000 square foot Ogemaw County facility will generate five new jobs and increase Michiganders' access to locally raised, locally processed meat.

"Community Cuts represents our deep commitment to Michigan's agricultural future. By building a USDA-inspected, locally owned processing facility, we're giving farmers the tools they need to bring high-quality, locally raised meat directly to families and businesses,"  said Sharon David, Co-Owner of Community Cuts, LLC. "This project is about more than meat it's about local food security, economic growth, and keeping rural communities strong. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with MDARD to make this vision a reality."

MDARD is awarding a $100,000 FAIP grant to Meating Hall, LLC (DBA Tolman s Meats) to install a 2,500 square foot blast freezer. This equipment upgrade will enable the Grand Rapids-based raw meat producer to expand its product offerings and annual production capacity by 8.1 million pounds.

"Tolman's Meats, a local supplier to West Michigan businesses for many decades, is excited to expand our growing operations in Grand Rapids through this partnership with MDARD,"  said Brandon Bassett, CEO of Meating Hall, LLC. "This grant will enable significant growth in our retail product offerings, expand our employee base, and strengthen our relationships with local suppliers in the production of safe, wholesome and quality meats."

FAIP plays a crucial role in Michigan's economic development. The program provides financial support for projects that expand food and agriculture processing, foster growth in the agriculture industry and bolster Michigan s economy. MDARD selects projects based on high and consistent criteria, including their potential to impact the overall agriculture industry as well as food and agriculture growth and investment in the state.

Since Fiscal Year 2019, MDARD has awarded more than $5.3 million of FAIP grants. The grants were part of more than $184 million MDARD delivered over the past seven years to help local communities build infrastructure, promote agricultural prosperity, ensure food safety and create jobs.

Read about the Food and Agriculture Investment Program.

Learn more about MDARD grants.

###