LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Kevin Daley on Thursday congratulated Quality Roasting LLC in Gilford Township on receiving funding that would support soybean production in Tuscola County.
“This is great news for farmers across the region,” said Daley, R-Lum. “This money will help soybean producers and support jobs in the industry. I am pleased that Quality Roasting chose a site in Michigan over competing sites in New York and Wisconsin. We welcome them to be a part of Michigan’s strong comeback.”
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded a $120,000 state transportation economic development fund grant to Quality Roasting LLC, a soybean producer for the dairy industry. The company is constructing a new facility on Bradleyville Road in Gilford Township that will receive, heat, and press raw soybeans to extract the oil. The remaining soybean meal will then be processed into feed for dairy cattle.
The money will be used in conjunction with funding from the Tuscola County Road Commission to resurface the deteriorating Bradleyville Road from Gilford Road to M-81. The roadway is nearing the end of its operational life and the current condition is considered to be a barrier to the success of Quality Roasting LLC’s new development.
The new facility is expected to process approximately 2.2 million bushels of soybeans annually.
“This will be a tremendous public-private partnership and welcomed economic boost to Tuscola County,” Daley said. “The investment is expected to support eight new jobs and will help leverage a $10 million private investment from the company.”
Transportation economic development “Category A” grants provide state funding for public roadway improvements that allow road agencies to respond quickly to the transportation needs of expanding companies and eliminate inadequate roadways as an obstacle to private investment and job creation. Eligible road agencies include MDOT, county road commissions, cities and villages. More information about the program is available online at www.Michigan.gov/TEDF.
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