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Michigan Ag News Headlines |
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Michigan Good Food Fund Tops $10.5 Million Milestone
Michigan Ag Connection - 05/22/2017
Six food enterprises in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Southeast Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula received financing from the Michigan Good Food Fund, marking more than $10.5 million in investments since its launch two years ago.
The $30 million fund was created to finance projects that increase healthy food access and spur economic opportunity in underserved communities in Michigan. It is a collaborative effort of Capital Impact Partners, Fair Food Network, Michigan State University
Center for Regional Food Systems, Northern Initiatives, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
"These investments create jobs and provide access to healthy food in the Michigan communities that need it most," said fund spokesperson and manager Mary Donnell. "It's fueling entrepreneurship in our state while benefiting Michigan growers and building
healthier communities."
Investments include:
- Grand Rapids
Diamond Place -- $3,645,600 Financing: This $42 million mixed-use project brings together 100+ affordable housing units plus 22,000 square feet of retail space anchored by a community grocery store. Slated for completion in summer 2018, it will create an
estimated 200 construction jobs and 150 permanent positions.
Ken's Fruit Market -- $445,000 Financing: This multi-site family-owned grocery store features high-quality food at low prices. The focus is on fresh produce with strong local sourcing. Financing was provided to improve operational efficiencies. Together the
three stores support 30 part-time and 40 full-time jobs.
- Kalamazoo
Park Street Market -- $6 Million Financing: As part of an $8 million New Markets Tax Credit transaction, this project will open a second Park Street Market location. The store will offer fresh, affordable food and anchor a revitalized retail plaza, which will
create an estimated 13 construction jobs and 165 permanent positions.
- Southeast Michigan
FEAST--Detroit -- $180,000 Financing: This project establishes a new commercial kitchen and processing center. Located in Inkster, it will be co-owned and serve as a home base for three established companies--Marcia's Munchies, Scotty O'Hotty, and
Premier Foods--and provide a critical processing resource for other area food entrepreneurs. FEAST will create six new full-time positions.
- Upper Peninsula
Flying Moose -- $68,128 Financing: This healthy food outpost opened a second location in the downtown Marquette public library, creating two new part-time jobs. The cafe sells healthy prepared foods featuring locally sourced produce, products, and meats.
Little Owl's Organic Grocery -- $86,000 Financing: This Menominee-based grocery store provides nutritious produce at a competitive price spotlighting locally grown fruits and vegetables. When it opened in August 2016, it created the sole outpost of organic
goods within a 50-mile radius. It has created five new full-time jobs in this rural community.
Michigan Good Food Fund is a $30 million public-private partnership loan fund that provides financing and business assistance to good food enterprises that benefit underserved communities across Michigan.
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