Abundant natural resources, a diverse supply chain, skilled labor, and a regulation-friendly business environment. It’s why global companies like Nestlé, ConAgra Foods, and the Kellogg Company have chosen West Michigan. And it’s why West Michigan is the ideal location for your next company expansion.

Contributing more than $1.5 billion to the regional economy, West Michigan’s agricultural and food processing clusters are among the top 25 percent of their U.S. peers in terms of overall production. Surrounded by 20 percent of the world’s fresh water, West Michigan’s food processing companies have the resources and support they need to grow and succeed.

Industry Strengths

Access to Water

Michigan is surrounded by over 9,679 miles of freshwater shoreline and borders four of the five Great Lakes. West Michigan hosts several large scale wastewater treatment facilities with excess capacity throughout the region. In Grand Rapids alone, businesses have access to over 61.1 million gallons per day (MGD) with over 10 MGD excess capacity, ideal for food processing.

Food Chain

West Michigan’s agribusiness sector produces one-third of Michigan’s total agricultural sales, contributing to $1.5 billion to the regional economy. The sector is among the most productive and diverse regions in a state that is second only to California in its agricultural diversity.

University Partnerships

The Michigan State University Product Center was established to improve economic opportunities in the Michigan agriculture, food and natural resource sectors. The Product Center provides assistance in developing and commercializing high value, consumer responsive products and businesses in the agriculture and natural resource sectors. The Center is your key to the front door of MSU's vast and varied technical expertise.

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