Thursday, July 03, 2008
News
Investing In Ovid
Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak Gov. Jennifer Granholm stands with other local and state officials during groundbreaking for a $35 million expansion of the Michigan Milk Producers Association facility in Ovid Monday.
By MICHAEL PETERSON Argus-Press Staff Writer
OVID - Silver shovels were plunged into the ground Monday at the Michigan Milk Producers Association facility, marking the beginning of a $35 million expansion project.
After the construction is complete, the plant's estimated processing capacity will increase to more than 5 million pounds of milk per day, which is about a 2 million-pound increase.
The sales from the Ovid plant alone were more than $200 million in 2007.
“MMPA's commitment to strengthen the infrastructure of the dairy industry by investing $35 million into this plant shows our confidence and enthusiasm for the future of the dairy industry in Michigan,” said Ken Nobis, the MMPA president. “The dairy industry has continued to be a shining star in our state's economy, providing more than $5 billion to our state's economy. We are very proud to be a part of the industry that could help lead Michigan into a new era of economic prosperity.”
Michigan produces the seventh-highest amount of milk in the nation, accounting for 4 percent of the total U.S. milk production.
The Ovid plant currently employs 92, and with the expansion, will add at least 10 more employees. The expansion also is expected to create 510 jobs in other areas, including construction.
Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm joined local officials in the celebration and spoke at the groundbreaking.
“Really, what this does represent is our desire as a state to make sure that we enhance the sectors of our economy that we know will make us competitive,” Granholm said. “Farmers understand the importance of sustainability. They were the first sustainable industry in the world.”
Other speakers included Rep. Dick Ball, R-Owosso, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Gordon Wenk and Ovid Village President Bill Lasher.
“Today is truly a win-win day for everyone,” Ball said. “On my way home, I'm going to take a shovel-full of this soil and see if we can grow some more economic development for Michigan.”
The area surrounding the manufacturing facility was designated an Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zone through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This designation provides the framework to allow for the expansion of the plant.
The MMPA owns and operates an additional facility in Constantine. MMPA was formed in 1916 by a group of dairy farmers and serves about 2,300 farmers in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana.
To make the expansion a reality, a trail proposed to link Ionia and Owosso needs to be rerouted. The MMPA agreed to a purchase-and-rent agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation to reroute the corridor and pave the way for the expansion to take place.
“The Rails to Trails is an added bonus,” Wenk said. “We got recreation as well as economic development on one project here in a tiny town in central Michigan - which is a great thing.”
After the ceremony came to a close, visitors were treated to free dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream bars.
The groundbreaking ceremony was not the only local event Granholm attended.
After the ceremony, Granholm spoke to local leaders at the newly opened Wrought Iron Grill, located in Woodard Station, 317 Elm St. in Owosso.
Granholm spoke about her economic agenda for diversifying Michigan's economy and making sure the state has a workforce capable of taking on new types of jobs.
“I really appreciated their willingness to take a lunch out so they could hear from me on the strategy to diversify the economy and to raise the standards for our kids so that we can double the number of college graduates,” Granholm said. “It is all part of the overall effort to transform Michigan. For me to hear from them and them to hear from me is very important.”
Wrought Iron Grill owner John Lowman said he agreed for the event to occur at his business after being approached by the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“We said, ‘of course.' What an honor,” Lowman said. “I thought (the speech) was extremely informativeShe talked about things that are very pertinent to the local area and the state as a whole.”
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.
After the construction is complete, the plant's estimated processing capacity will increase to more than 5 million pounds of milk per day, which is about a 2 million-pound increase.
The sales from the Ovid plant alone were more than $200 million in 2007.
“MMPA's commitment to strengthen the infrastructure of the dairy industry by investing $35 million into this plant shows our confidence and enthusiasm for the future of the dairy industry in Michigan,” said Ken Nobis, the MMPA president. “The dairy industry has continued to be a shining star in our state's economy, providing more than $5 billion to our state's economy. We are very proud to be a part of the industry that could help lead Michigan into a new era of economic prosperity.”
Michigan produces the seventh-highest amount of milk in the nation, accounting for 4 percent of the total U.S. milk production.
The Ovid plant currently employs 92, and with the expansion, will add at least 10 more employees. The expansion also is expected to create 510 jobs in other areas, including construction.
Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm joined local officials in the celebration and spoke at the groundbreaking.
“Really, what this does represent is our desire as a state to make sure that we enhance the sectors of our economy that we know will make us competitive,” Granholm said. “Farmers understand the importance of sustainability. They were the first sustainable industry in the world.”
Other speakers included Rep. Dick Ball, R-Owosso, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Gordon Wenk and Ovid Village President Bill Lasher.
“Today is truly a win-win day for everyone,” Ball said. “On my way home, I'm going to take a shovel-full of this soil and see if we can grow some more economic development for Michigan.”
The area surrounding the manufacturing facility was designated an Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zone through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This designation provides the framework to allow for the expansion of the plant.
The MMPA owns and operates an additional facility in Constantine. MMPA was formed in 1916 by a group of dairy farmers and serves about 2,300 farmers in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana.
To make the expansion a reality, a trail proposed to link Ionia and Owosso needs to be rerouted. The MMPA agreed to a purchase-and-rent agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation to reroute the corridor and pave the way for the expansion to take place.
“The Rails to Trails is an added bonus,” Wenk said. “We got recreation as well as economic development on one project here in a tiny town in central Michigan - which is a great thing.”
After the ceremony came to a close, visitors were treated to free dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream bars.
The groundbreaking ceremony was not the only local event Granholm attended.
After the ceremony, Granholm spoke to local leaders at the newly opened Wrought Iron Grill, located in Woodard Station, 317 Elm St. in Owosso.
Granholm spoke about her economic agenda for diversifying Michigan's economy and making sure the state has a workforce capable of taking on new types of jobs.
“I really appreciated their willingness to take a lunch out so they could hear from me on the strategy to diversify the economy and to raise the standards for our kids so that we can double the number of college graduates,” Granholm said. “It is all part of the overall effort to transform Michigan. For me to hear from them and them to hear from me is very important.”
Wrought Iron Grill owner John Lowman said he agreed for the event to occur at his business after being approached by the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“We said, ‘of course.' What an honor,” Lowman said. “I thought (the speech) was extremely informativeShe talked about things that are very pertinent to the local area and the state as a whole.”
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.