fairlife $650 Million Plant Expansion in Coopersville Brings 150 New Jobs to West Michigan

State Funding Transforms Aging Infrastructure and Powers Major Business Investment in Ottawa County

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that the Michigan Strategic Fund Board has approved support to enhance aging infrastructure in the City of Coopersville in Ottawa County, while also providing financial assistance for an expansion of fairlife, LLC, a Coca-Cola subsidiary that produces ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and protein shakes.

With this state support, fairlife plans to invest up to $650 million in its Coopersville facility and expects to create 150 new jobs in the West Michigan community.

Infrastructure Investment Supports Business Growth

The investment represents a win-win for the state and the local community. Michigan is positioning itself as open for business and actively competing for transformational projects and high-skill jobs.

"Michigan is open for business and on the move. Today's investment highlights how we're competing hard for transformational projects and good-paying, high-skill jobs," 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."

The fairlife investment demonstrates the strength of Michigan's food, agriculture, and forestry industries. Companies are seeing the success of these sectors and want to leverage it by investing in value-added processing that benefits the entire region.

Strategic Site Readiness Program Funds Critical Water Infrastructure

The City of Coopersville will receive funding through the Strategic Site Readiness Program to invest in critical water infrastructure. This project aims to strengthen the system's capacity and reliability for both current and future needs.

"City of Coopersville is extremely excited about the opportunity to partner with the MEDC and the State through the Strategic Site Readiness Program to invest in critical water infrastructure that will strengthen our system's capacity and reliability for both current and future needs," said Dennis Luce, City Manager for Coopersville. "This project is not only about improving essential services for our residents and businesses, it also positions us for continued economic growth. In particular, it supports the expansion of fairlife, one of our largest local employers, which is a significant win for our agricultural community here in West Michigan and for dairy suppliers across the entire state."

This is the kind of forward-looking investment that benefits the city, the region, and Michigan as a whole.

State-Level Partnership Benefits Local Communities

Long-term partnerships like this demonstrate that companies see the strength of Michigan's food, agriculture, and forestry industries and want to leverage its success. The investment reinforces the state's mission at improving quality of life for Michiganders by attracting projects that improve infrastructure and value-added processing.

"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," said Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring.

Economic Development Strategy in Action

Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the MSF, stated: "The West Michigan agribusiness corridor is a significant component of Michigan's overall economy, and it is imperative it has the infrastructure it needs to produce high-quality, high-recognition products that people across the nation know and enjoy. 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."

The City of Coopersville Strategic Site Readiness Program approval demonstrates how state funding can transform aging infrastructure and power major business investments in West Michigan communities.

What This Means for West Michigan Residents

The expansion of fairlife in Coopersville represents a significant economic boost for the Ottawa County community. The 150 new jobs will provide employment opportunities for local residents while the $650 million investment will stimulate economic activity throughout the region.

The critical water infrastructure improvements will benefit current and future businesses in the area, making the community more attractive for additional investments. The partnership between the state, the city, and the private sector demonstrates how collaborative efforts can produce positive outcomes for West Michigan communities.

This investment also supports the broader "Make it in Michigan" economic development strategy, which focuses on attracting quality projects that create jobs and strengthen communities across the state.