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July 14, 2026
Headquartered in rural Leelanau County, Cherry Republic uses the Montmorency Tart Cherry in more than 200 cherry-based products. Founded in 1989, the company has grown to employ more than 500 full- and part-time staff across eight retail locations and their distribution center.
Last year, Cherry Republic utilized a $150,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grant from MDARD to support a $4 million expansion of their fulfillment and distribution center in Empire. The project added 16,000 square feet of dry and cold storage, two new loading docks, risk mitigation infrastructure and 20 new full-time jobs. The investment in this infrastructure helps Cherry Republic to continue connecting the world to Michigan-grown Montmorency cherries while adding greatly needed space and equipment that removes operational constraints and enables further business development.
“Working with MDARD has been a very smooth and streamlined process. The team is proactive – they actively look for programs that align with and support our growth,” said Bob Sutherland, founder and president of Cherry Republic. “They do a great job initiating the conversation, asking about the projects we’re focused on, and then connecting us with opportunities that fit both our needs and MDARD’s mission. They make it incredibly easy for us, and that level of support has made a real difference.”
For more than two decades, Cherry Republic has achieved uninterrupted year-over-year growth. Following their latest planning cycle, the team is projecting another 35 percent growth over the next three years. The company is now looking to expand beyond Michigan’s borders for the first time. Additionally, Cherry Republic is adding new product lines and bringing more manufacturing in-house. The facility expansion was a major catalyst for this next chapter of Cherry Republic’s growth– streamlining logistics, strengthening management and dramatically improving efficiency.
In its 35th year of business, Cherry Republic holds a steadfast commitment to the farmers and farmland that grow Montmorency cherries. Without making these sizable improvements, the company would have been limited in the ways they could ideate and develop new market channels for their value-added products. Cherry Republic is positioned for its strongest era yet – rooted in the same spirit of innovation, quality and Michigan pride that has fueled its success from the beginning.
For more information on MDARD grants, visit the MDARD grants webpage. To learn more about Cherry Republic, check out the Michigan Agriculture Magazine.
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