Michigan Strategic Fund Approves $17 Million Water Infrastructure Grant for Coopersville, $650 Million Private Investment From Fairlife

Aging water system bottlenecked West Michigan's largest dairy processor until state funding finally cleared the path for massive expansion.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on March 24 that the Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved a $17 million grant to upgrade water infrastructure in the City of Coopersville, paving the way for a $650 million private investment from fairlife, LLC.

The funding helps create 150 new jobs while securing 400 existing positions at the Coopersville facility that produces ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk and protein shakes for The Coca-Cola Company.

50-Year-Old Water Main Had Stopped Growth

For decades, Coopersville relied on a single 16-inch water main installed more than half a century ago. Local officials said the aging line became a primary obstacle to housing, commerce and industrial scaling.

The new grant will fund the installation of a 20-inch transmission main and an additional storage tank, increasing the citys capacity by 1.1 million gallons of water per day.

The announcement represents the first phase of a broader $47 million three-part infrastructure plan, with the remaining costs to be covered by community service agreements and major industrial users.

Investments Strengthen the Region Beyond a Single Project

Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage, which worked alongside the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help secure the funding, noted the broader impact.

"Reliable infrastructure and a strong supply chain are essential for the Lakeshores growing agribusiness cluster," Owens said. "Investments like this strengthen the region well beyond a single project."

Expected to Create 10 Dairy Jobs for Every Direct Position

Experts project that for every direct job created at the fairlife facility, 10 additional dairy jobs will be supported across the state to meet increased production demands.

Current data from Lightcast, which provides labor market analytics, suggests the food manufacturing cluster in Ottawa and Allegan counties already supports over 7,000 jobs with average annual earnings of approximately $87,000.

Although the project is centered in Coopersville, the benefits are expected to benefit neighboring municipalities, including Polkton Township, Allendale Charter Township and Tallmadge Township.

Stabilizes Utility Rates for Regional Water Users

Patrick Staskiewicz, public utilities director at the Ottawa County Road Commission, noted that the expansion would also help stabilize utility rates for users of the Grand Rapids Water and Muskegon County Wastewater systems by maintaining a high-volume industrial user base.

"This project is not only about improving essential services for our residents," said Coopersville City Manager Dennis Luce. "It positions us for continued economic growth and supports one of our largest employers, which is a significant win for the agricultural community."

$17 Million Grant Covers Critical Water System Overhaul

The MSF Board approved a $17 million Strategic Site Readiness Program 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 system is at 80 percent capacity and over 50 years old.

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

Fairlife Investment Includes $650 Million Facility Expansion

The Coca-Cola Company plans to expand production capacity at its fairlife facility in Coopersville by adding two additional state-of-the-art, high-speed production lines.

The investment of $650 million will include the addition of 150 jobs at the facility and add roughly 245,000 square feet of production space.

The project is receiving an Alternative State Essential Services Assessment abatement approved by the MSF Board, valued at approximately $3.9 million.

fairlife, a producer of lactose-free milk and protein shakes, is experiencing significant growth and needs to expand production to meet growing consumer demand.

The companys Coopersville production facility has been part of the community since 2012 and currently employs more than 400 people, making it one of the states largest dairy-related food processors.

Michigan Agribusiness Corridor Receives State Support

"The West Michigan agribusiness corridor is a significant component of Michigans 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," said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the MSF.

"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," Messer said.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring noted that the investment reinforces the state mission of improving quality of life for Michiganders through infrastructure improvements and value-added processing.

"This investment also reinforces our mission at the state of improving quality of life for Michiganders: We are committed to attracting projects that improve infrastructure and value-added processing in a way that benefits our industry, our communities and regional economies," Boring said.

Coopersville City Manager Calls It Forward-Looking Investment

"The 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 capacity and reliability for both current and future needs," said Dennis Luce.

"This project is not only about improving essential services for our residents, it also positions us for continued economic growth," Luce continued. "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."

Luce said the project supports the expansion of fairlife, one of the states largest dairy-related food processors, and is a significant win for the agricultural community in West Michigan.

State Funding Approved Alongside Other West Michigan Projects

During the same meeting, the Board also approved a separate request by Muskegon County to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure, a Michigan Business Development Program grant to La Colombe, a Chobani company, and a Michigan Community Revitalization Loan for 109 apartments in Grand Rapids.

Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved support to update and enhance aging infrastructure in the City of Coopersville as well as support for an Alternative State Essential Services Assessment abatement to support an expansion of fairlife, LLC.

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

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