A select group of Michigan agribusinesses has received grants from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Two of the businesses are located in the Thumb and have impacts on the region.
Cooperative Elevator Company of Pigeon and Youngblood Vineyard of Ray Township each received grants.
MDARD Director Gary McDowell said, “With this funding, these businesses will be able to increase production and product quality, focus on scalability, and create good-paying jobs for Michiganders.”
Cooperative Elevator Company is a farmer-owned cooperative of 1,100 patron-owners that provides agricultural production supplies and marketing services for the Thumb’s farmers. They will be using the grant money to expand processing in their bean plant, implement new technology, and fill four new positions.
Youngblood Vineyard is a thriving vineyard that grows six different grape varieties and processes 100% estate-grown wine on-site. The grant will fund four new positions at the family-owned winery and increase production as well as increase their event hosting capabilities.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
