LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has announced three grants for local businesses totaling $300,000.

“These grants help to make Michigan small businesses more competitive on a global scale by allowing them to improve operations and create more unique employment opportunities for Michiganders,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in an announcement. “As we work to put Michigan first, it is important we look at all avenues of innovation to support rural development. With Michigan’s agricultural and food entrepreneurial spirit, I know our food production companies will continue to advance and thrive.”

Likewise, MDARD Director Gary McDowell said he was proud of these continued investments in the state of Michigan, which are investments in local food and agricultural based businesses. “These three businesses will now be able to increase production, hire more skilled Michiganders and increase sustainable practices. I am looking forward to seeing the progress these companies make over the coming months and years.”

Maple Hardwoods, Inc., a second-generation timber company based on the east side of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, received a $90,000 grant. The company has been a dealer in hardwood logs, forest management and the lumber business for more than 50 years. The $90,000 grant will go towards a sawmill expansion currently under way, which will create 10 to 15 more jobs, according to the company’s Vice President Andrew Jaroche. The project involves equipment installation, interior construction and build out in an existing 57,000 square foot building to support a sawmill line and office area. According to Jaroche, the total cost of the planned expansion will be $10 million.

“We’re very grateful for the grant, especially in that it signals support from the government for what we’re doing,” Jaroche stated. “We’re very fortunate and it’s appreciated. At a time when corporate America is ruining the world, small businesses are being gobbled up. For us as a small business to be getting this support, it’s very validating. This grant will be used quickly, but it will be used.” Maple Hardwoods deals solely in hardwoods, which are used to make cabinetry, tables, doors, window jams and more. Hardwoods consist of basically all deciduous trees in the area, Jaroche explained, as opposed to conifers, which grow pine needles and cones.

According to Jaroche, 90 percent of all logging companies started as a farm. “Loggers started out as farmers that needed something to do in the winter when they couldn’t grow crops,” he said. “A lot of the loggers are our employees, but there are a handful of independent companies within a 100 mile radius. This is a tough business, but this region is filled with hardwoods.” He went on to explain that the land in Michigan north of Mt. Pleasant in the northern Lower Peninsula is hardwood tree country. He is hoping the company will start full operations in the expanded facility within a year.

The West Michigan Beef Co. also received a grant to help expand its capacity both for custom slaughter and conventional slaughter for beef. The company will construct a 70,000 square-foot modern beef processing facility in Hudsonville, Michigan, not far from Grand Rapids. This will enable the company to support most of the livestock markets in the state, in addition to local 4H livestock sales, by giving a local option for slaughter. The company will be able to hire about 10 new employees. West Michigan Beef focuses on personal service, food safety and humane animal handling.

The Sprinkles Donut Shop, also based in Hudsonville, has received a $60,000 grant, which will help it transition from a small retail bakery to an industrial kitchen to meet growing demand. A new kitchen will enable the company to fulfill new wholesale business with multiple national brands, including a Michigan based business shipping to 26 states. The planned expansion will also allow the company to export products and co-pack over 200,000 donuts a month and create an estimated 10 new jobs.