04/17/2026
“Michigan is a long-time dairy state (with) an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise that gives dairy manufacturers confidence in a high-quality product,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, noting the infrastructure exists to support multi-generational dairy farms, making the state “a favorable place for investment.” Read more below.
West Michigan’s dairy industry is experiencing an investment boom, with companies pouring more than $1.3 billion into new production capacity across the region since last summer as they bet on Americans’ growing appetite for protein-rich foods and specialty dairy beverages.
Four major projects announced since June include Coca-Cola subsidiary Fairlife LLC’s $650 million expansion in Coopersville and Chobani’s $567 million investment in its La Colombe operations in Norton Shores, both backed by tens of millions in state incentives. The expansions will add hundreds of jobs and vastly increase demand for milk from Michigan’s dairy farms.
In 2025, the Michigan Milk Producers Association announced an investment of up to $122.7 million in production facilities in Wheatland Township and Ovid, and in Holland, Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Co. announced a $40 million expansion to support growth in its novelty ice cream bar category.
Michigan is home to 460,000 dairy cattle that produced 12.5 billion pounds of milk in 2025, placing the state sixth in the nation. The state’s dairy production has grown significantly in recent years. In 2017 Michigan produced 11.2 billion pounds of milk from 428,000 dairy cattle.
Read more here: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/agriculture/cgr-west-michigan-dairy-expansion-20260402/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=soc-own
