Oceana County Economic Alliance assists Peterson Farms with $32 million expansion in Shelby Township

Today, the Oceana County Economic Alliance (OCEA) and The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that Peterson Farms, a food processing company on the border of Shelby Township and Hart in Oceana County, will expand operations to increase its juice containerization capability.

The project, which will result in a capital investment of $32.2 million and creation of at least 96 new jobs, will be supported by a 15-year, 100% State Essential Services Assessment (SESA) Exemption with an estimated value of up to $576,970 for its $26.2 million eligible investment in Eligible Personal Property.

As the largest employer in Oceana County with 640 Michigan residents employed at its Shelby Township facilities, Peterson Farms is an advocate of wraparound services for its employees, providing housing for 225 associates and their families, daycare, transportation, and recently added an after-hours medical clinic. In 2022, the company was awarded $3.2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding and $800,000 in MEDC Corporate Funds to provide water infrastructure for low to moderate workforce housing in Shelby Township.

The company’s continued investment and growth solidifies its welcomed presence in Oceana County and contributes to Michigan’s leadership in agribusiness. Michigan is the second-most agriculturally diverse state, and its food and agriculture industry brings in $104.7 billion annually to the state’s economy.

“Peterson Farms is appreciative of the State of Michigan and MEDC and thanks them for their support of our growth in the food processing arena,” said Richard Raffaelli, Chief Operating Officer at Peterson Farms.

As a marketing leader of frozen fruits in the United States, Peterson Farms markets over 150 million finished pounds of frozen fruits and seven million gallons of single strength apple juice/cider and juice concentrates. The company is also one of the leading processors of fresh-cut apples in the United States.

“We’re proud that our continued growth in manufacturing supports rural Michigan residents and contributes to Michigan’s agriculture industry,” said Mike Agosta, Chief Financial Officer at Peterson Farms.

Oceana County Economic Alliance and The Right Place worked closely with the company and the MEDC to ensure the company's continued growth in the region. They offered support by effectively organizing state and local resources.

“Peterson Farms is synonymous with Oceana County, so we are happy to support their growth,” said Curtis Burdette, Executive Director, Oceana County Economic Alliance. “They do such a wonderful job supporting nearly 640 employees and their families in Oceana County, and this expansion will provide new opportunities for hundreds of farms in West Michigan, most of which are family-owned, to supply fresh fruit to meet the increased production.”