LANSING- State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton) today announced that Lenawee County is in line to receive a $25,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to spur agriculture innovation. The award is designated for market research to aid in the formation of a regional commercial kitchen for new product development in Adrian.
"This pioneering concept allows entrepreneurs to develop and test new food products in a central setting," Spade explained. "As this exciting project moves forward, it means new jobs and new markets for food grown and produced right here in Lenawee County."
The Agricultural Innovation Grants are a key component of the 21st Century Jobs Fund and are also part of an aggressive effort by the MDA to spur growth in several economic sectors. The $4.7 million recommended by the Agriculture Commission for projects in Michigan could generate as many as 267 new jobs and more than $43 million in capital investment throughout the state.
"Agriculture has long been one of the leading industries in Michigan and in Lenawee County," Spade said. "Grants such as these provide further incentive for our farmers to seek out untapped markets and reward visionary thinkers who develop new ways to showcase local products."
The 21st Century Jobs Fund is a $2 billion, ten-year initiative proposed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to accelerate the diversification of Michigan's economy.
Grants from the Agricultural Innovation Fund, also known as the Julian-Stille Value-Added Program, are competitive and designed to establish, retain, expand, attract or develop valued-added agricultural processing and related production operations in Michigan.
Categories for grant awards included: Technical Assistance, Facility Improvements, Market Research/Development, Business Plan Development, and Facility/Land Purchase or Construction. Eligible applicants for the grants included individuals, farmer-owned cooperatives, commodity boards, partnerships, limited liability companies, private or public corporations and local units of government. Applicants also were required to provide a 10 percent match.