New round of state grant funds are expected to help quadruple the number of jobs created from last year and result in $154 million total investment for fiscal year 2022 

LANSING, Mich. — On Aug 17th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell announced the latest round of state grant match grants will double the amount of funding available to Michigan’s farming and agriculture sector. The Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) has seen substantial growth year over year over the last two years. The grants are expected to create an estimated 295 jobs, more than four times as many as last year, and bring in $154 million to Michigan's growing economy, 45% more than last fiscal year. 

“As Michigan’s economic momentum continues to build, my goal is to ensure every region of our state has an opportunity to succeed, and these grants from the Food and Agriculture Investment Program will help us do just that, bringing in $48 million to create at least 225 new jobs across Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “Recently, I signed my fourth balanced, bipartisan state budget, which sets aside dedicated resources for food and agriculture economic development. These grants and our state budget will help us continue growing Michigan’s economy, creating good-paying jobs, and bringing investment to every region of our great state.”  

The FAIP provides financial support for food and agriculture projects that help expand food and agriculture processing to enable growth in the industry and Michigan's economy. 

"The Food and Agriculture Investment Program allows our food and agriculture industry to grow while helping move Michigan forward," said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. "I'm thrilled we are increasing our financial support for food and ag businesses across our state while increasing access to good-paying jobs for Michiganders. This further demonstrates why Michigan is and will continue to be an agriculture powerhouse." 

About the Food and Agriculture Investment Program 

The Food and Agriculture Investment Program provides financial support to expand the Michigan food and agriculture sector, grow Michigan exports, and increase food processing activities within the state. 

Projects are selected based on their investment in the overall agriculture industry and their impact on Michigan’s food and agriculture growth. 

The Food and Agriculture Investment Program is available to:  

• Small, medium, and large food, agriculture, and forest product companies.  

• Others investing in or expanding food, agriculture, or forest products operations in Michigan. 

The Food and Agriculture Investment Program is a performance-based grant. Companies or organizations put forward their investment plan, demonstrate financing and due diligence on the project, carry out the project, and submit a reimbursement amount per the grant agreement when the investment project is completed. Read more about the Food and Agriculture Investment Program here: MDARD - Food and Agriculture Investment Fund Grants (michigan.gov) 

Fostering economic growth in rural communities 

Governor Whitmer has been laser-focused on the kitchen-table fundamental issues that matter most to rural families, communities, and small businesses.  

-- Created and fully funded the Office of Rural Development to address the unique challenges that face rural communities. 

-- Signed bills to boost the food and agriculture industry by ensuring Michigan food and agriculture businesses can export their products to other nations.  

-- Secured more than $50 million for food and agriculture economic development projects. 

-- Signed budgets that invested in local economic development projects centered around the food and agriculture industries, and community revitalization and placemaking grants to support economic development in rural communities. 

-- Launched the development of a ‘Buy Michigan’ marketing campaign to highlight Michigan growers and agricultural products.  

-- Invested over $53 million in Michigan State University’s dairy center and greenhouses. 

-- Opened the hemp market to Michigan’s producers, bringing a new commodity to Michigan's diverse agricultural market. 

-- Requested federal relief and signed a bill authorizing $15 million in loans for farmers reeling from crop loss and damage during one of the rainiest years in state history. 

-- Invested $15 million into the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grant Program and Small Farm Safety Grant Programs to support farmers and food processors during COVID-19