Gov. Whitmer Celebrates Groundbreaking of fairlife Expansion, Highlights Economic Growth, Job Commitments, and Investments in Michigan Businesses

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrated the groundbreaking of fairlife’s expansion, one of multiple major projects supported by the State set to support up to 817 good-paying jobs and invest $2 billion in Michigan’s economy. Mitra Chem, fairlife, and Chobani have each announced major projects in Michigan, gaining state support through the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund. These projects will grow Michigan’s leadership in food systems, materials science, advanced energy, and semiconductor supply chains.

“Companies know that when they invest in Michigan, they succeed,” said Governor Whitmer. “Investments supported by the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund show the world that Michigan is the best place to make stuff, grow stuff, and build a thriving economy. I’m proud that this year’s budget invests in this fund and creates more opportunities for communities in every part of our state to thrive. These projects promise to create and retain 817 good-paying jobs for Michiganders, supporting new economic growth in some of our smaller communities. From the factory to the farm, let’s keep working together to help more workers, businesses, and families ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

fairlife is expanding capacity in Coopersville (Ottawa County) with two high-speed production lines for its lactose-free milk and protein shakes, investing $650 million and adding approximately 200 full-time jobs at the facility. Announced in March 2026, the project is receiving an Alternative State Essential Services Assessment (ASESA) abatement valued at approximately $3.9 million, along with a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) of $3.275 million to support production infrastructure. An additional $17 million Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund grant to the City of Coopersville will improve the regional water system to attract and retain residents and employers. 

Chobani is expanding its La Colombe coffee manufacturing facility in the City of Norton Shores (Muskegon County), investing up to $567 million to meet increased demand for its ready-to-drink lattes. Announced in March 2026, the project is supported by a $5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant and a $2.3 million MDARD grant for wastewater infrastructure and to support regenerative agriculture practices in the dairy supply chain. It is expected to create 337 new jobs and retain 312 existing jobs. An additional $28 million Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund grant to Muskegon County will help to repair and modernize a wastewater system that has been serving residents and businesses in Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, Fruitport, and the City of Muskegon for over 50 years.

The milk used in La Colombe’s ready-to-drink lattes is sourced, in part, from Michigan dairy farms and co-ops. With this expansion, Chobani could increase its annual purchases of raw milk to as high as 615 million pounds cumulatively over the next few years, a significant increase from the current 30 million pounds. 

“Today’s announcement of state investment in these projects represent an exciting opportunity of continued growth in West Michigan. Together, they represent the cutting edge of electrification and technology, and the continued investment in our diverse agricultural economy.” said State Representative Will Snyder (D-Muskegon). “The expansions of La Colombe and fairlife combined represent over $1 billion of investment in the Muskegon area. The effects will not only be the creation of hundreds of good paying jobs, but it will support a whole network of dairy farmers throughout the entire state. I am proud of the work we done to be able to secure these investments for the region.

“The Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund program is helping turn transformational opportunities into reality,” said State Sen. Jon Bumstead (R-Norton Shores). “Through strategic investments in critical water and wastewater infrastructure, these grants are not only supporting the expansion of La Colombe in Muskegon County and fairlife in Coopersville, but also creating the foundation for long-term regional growth and competitiveness.” 

Mitra Chem plans to build a plant in Egelston Township (Muskegon County) to produce Foreign Entity of Concern-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material for battery cells supplying critical defense, energy storage system, and electric vehicle end markets. It is positioned to become the primary domestic supplier of these products and will be the first large scale domestic producer of these materials fully compliant with Department of War supply chain requirements included in the National Defense Authorization Act. The project in Michigan represents a total investment of over $370 million, including $100 million in a grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initially announced in September 2024 and publicly confirmed as retained in May 2026. It will also receive support of $50 million from the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund. The project is expected to create up to 150 permanent jobs and 600 construction jobs.

Mitra Chem continues to coordinate with state and federal environmental agencies and the DOE to complete required permitting and regulatory compliance. The company anticipates breaking ground in early 2027, with commissioning in 2028. 

Hemlock Semiconductor is one of the largest producers of hyper-pure polysilicon and, in October 2024, was announced as a potential recipient of up to $325 million in proposed federal funding under the CHIPS and Science Act and up to $40 million from the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund associated with a prospective future investment in the state. 

“There is no better place to invest in the future than the Great Lakes Bay Region,” said State Senator Chedrick Greene. “Hemlock Semiconductor’s expansion adds up to 180 new, good-paying manufacturing jobs and over a thousand construction opportunities for hardworking families. I am proud to support investments that strengthen Michigan’s leadership in the global semiconductor supply chain, grow our economy, and help Michiganders build rewarding careers and a strong future for their families.” 

“MDARD and our state government partners continue to leverage grant programs to invest in innovation, facilitate economic growth and improve quality of life for Michiganders,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “These recent grants will support critical investments in Michigan’s $125.8 billion food and agriculture industry, create good-paying jobs and promote prosperity in communities across our state.” 

“These investments are a vote of confidence in Michigan’s economic development strategy focused on winning projects that connect more Michiganders and their communities to employment and entrepreneurial opportunity,” said MEDC CEO Quentin Messer Jr. “These companies and others select us because of the strength of the state’s workforce and the fact that we honor our commitments to build needed infrastructure. We are grateful for Governor Whitmer’s leadership, partnership with MDARD and other sister agencies, the support of our legislative partners, and local partners in bringing these transformational projects to communities across Michigan.” 

With these projects, established “good neighbor” businesses across multiple industries continue to express their confidence in Michigan. The state is open for business, competing for and winning impactful projects, investing in vibrant communities, and building a foundation for small businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed. Michigan stakeholders across state and local governments are working together to create good-paying jobs and bring supply chains home from overseas with the investment of public resources through the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.