First load of hogs scheduled for Sept. 5 at Coldwater, Mich., new processing plant.

July 31, 2017

1 Min Read
Clemens Food Group leads the way in expanding U.S. shackle space
Clemens Food Group

After four years of planning and 28 months of construction, Clemens Food Group is on track to process pork Sept. 5 and a ramp-up to one full shift capacity early next year. Gov. Rick Snyder, local and state officials joined the Clemens Food Group on July 29 to celebrate the opening of the new fresh pork processing facility located in Coldwater, Mich. 

“We want to welcome Clemens Food Group, the outstanding things you’re doing and the pride we have in having you be Michiganders now with us,” said Snyder. “So, thank you so much.”

For over two decades, pork produced in Michigan was leaving the state to be processed, explains Doug Clemens, Clemens Food Group CEO. So the company worked with pork producers to bring operations back to Michigan, which is welcome news to the state.

Announced in December of 2014, the 550,000 square-foot fresh pork processing facility will be located at Jonesville Road and Newton Road in Coldwater. It is expected to generate up to $255.7 million in private investment. Additionally, the project is supported by $12.5 million in Michigan Strategic Fund — Community Development Block Grant funds for infrastructure improvements, land acquisition, workforce development and on-the-job training for the new development.

“Today’s ground breaking represents the next chapter beginning for all those involved with this project,” says Clemens. “Bringing multiple generations of family businesses together with this great community is truly something to be celebrated. We are thankful to our producer partners who had this original vision, and appreciate the support of the community leadership and Gray Construction in helping to make it a reality.“

At full capacity, the plant is expected to create more than 800 new jobs and process at least 12,000 hogs per day.

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