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An Upper Peninsula company is getting a boost from a grant by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Bessemer Plywood Corporation will receive $100,000 from the Food and Agriculture Investment Fund for the construction of a 30,000 square-foot building addition.
“Michigan’s diverse food and agriculture industry is ripe for a major resurgence,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “We have the best resources, we have the most innovative entrepreneurs, and we offer support and expertise that can help ignite small- and mid-sized businesses throughout the state. Through the Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grants, we will not only continue to create hundreds of new jobs in both urban and rural areas, but we will also help keep Michigan a national leader in the food and ag industry.”
“America’s food and agriculture industry has been faced with many challenges recently,” said Gary McDowell, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “That is why it’s more important than ever for Michigan to invest in the businesses and the communities that make up one of the state’s largest economic drivers. Along with the connections and expertise of MDARD’s business development specialists, these grant programs send a message to food and ag entrepreneurs everywhere: the best place to start or grow your business is clearly Michigan.”
The addition will house a more efficient veneer dryer and associated components.
The company will invest $3 million, and the project may lead to the creation of up to 10-20 new jobs.
The project will increase the local market for high-quality logs, providing additional value-added capacity for higher grade timber.
Bessemer Plywood has been in operation since 1986 and currently produces certified sheathing, underlayments, certified panels and industrial grade plywood ranging from one-quarter inch to one-and-one-eighth inches.
They are one of 24 recipients of grants approved by the state commission.
“The companies supported with Food and Agriculture Investment Fund dollars highlight Michigan’s agriculture diversity and we are happy to work with our economic development partners across Michigan to accelerate their growth,” said Peter Anastor, Director of MDARD’s Agriculture Development Division. “The projects will have a big impact on Michigan’s dairy, forest products, potato, grain and food manufacturing sectors and we are happy to have a broad range of projects located in communities from Addison to Zeeland.”
