Major Dairy Expansion Coming to Ottawa County as State Approves Infrastructure Investment

COOPERSVILLE, Mich. — Fairlife LLC, a Coca-Cola Company subsidiary, will invest up to $650 million to expand its Coopersville production facility, creating approximately 150 new jobs and adding 245,000 square feet of production space.

The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved support for the expansion today, including two grants totaling $21 million to help fund critical infrastructure improvements in the City of Coopersville.

The company expects to begin production on the new lines in 2028, which will include the addition of two high-speed production lines and increased capacity to meet growing consumer demand for ultra-filtered milk and protein beverages.

Infrastructure Upgrades Target Aging Water System

The $17 million Strategic Site Readiness Program grant will fund a two-phase infrastructure project to upgrade the area's water system, which currently relies on transmission mains constructed in the 1930s and operates at 80% capacity.

Phase One:

• Add capacity and redundancy to the water system
• Upgrade aging infrastructure to support current and future industrial needs

Phase Two:

• Construct a new 800-foot elevated water tank with 1 million-gallon capacity
• Provide 1.1 million gallons of water daily to the Coopersville area

"The current system is at 80% capacity and over 50 years old," stated MEDC press release materials.

"When completed, the water system expansion will provide 1.1 million gallons of water daily to the Coopersville area," the Michigan Strategic Fund Board noted.

Company Background and Current Operations

Fairlife was founded in 2012 as a joint venture between Select Milk Producers and Coca-Cola, opening its Coopersville facility in 2013. The company produces ultra-filtered milk and nutrition beverages. In 2020, Coca-Cola fully acquired the business.

Today, Fairlife's Coopersville plant employs more than 400 people and is one of the state's largest dairy-related food processors.

"Fairlife is experiencing continued growth and requires additional capacity to meet growing consumer demand," Michigan Economic Development Corp. wrote in a memo on the project.

Statewide Economic Impact

The expansion would support more than 6,500 direct, indirect and induced jobs across the state, including 1,638 jobs in the dairy sector alone.

"We're talking 4 million pounds per day of additional fluid milk coming into our site, 150 well-paying jobs, and a ripple effect tenfold for well-paying jobs throughout our supply chain," Phil LaMothe, senior vice president of manufacturing and engineering for Fairlife, told the MSF Board.

"With the expansion, Fairlife would use an additional 4 million pounds of raw milk daily," the MEDC stated.

Government Officials Welcome Investment

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the investment on March 24, 2026, emphasizing Michigan's commitment to attracting transformational projects and high-quality jobs.

"Michigan is open for business and on the move. Today's investment highlights how we're competing hard for transformational projects and good-paying, high-skill jobs," Governor Whitmer said.

"fairlife's investment will create 150 new jobs and power $650 million into west Michigan's economy. This is a huge win for Michigan, and proof that when we work together to improve our infrastructure, train our workers, and revitalize our places, we can compete with anyone," the Governor added.

MEDC Leadership

Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the MSF, welcomed the investment:

"The West Michigan agribusiness corridor is a significant component of Michigan's overall economy, and it is imperative it has the infrastructure it needs to produce high-quality, high-recognition products that people across the nation know and enjoy," Messer stated.

"We are thrilled to offer our support to the City of Coopersville and fairlife for projects that will impact every component of our 'Make it in Michigan' economic development strategy focused on People, Places, and Projects," he continued.

Coopersville City Leadership

Dennis Luce, Coopersville city manager, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:

"The City of Coopersville is extremely excited about the opportunity to partner with the MEDC and the State through the Strategic Site Readiness Program to invest in critical water infrastructure that will strengthen our system's capacity and reliability for both current and future needs," Luce stated.

"This project is not only about improving essential services for our residents and businesses, it also positions us for continued economic growth. In particular, it supports the expansion of fairlife, one of our largest local employers, which is a significant win for our agricultural community here in West Michigan and for dairy suppliers across the entire state," Luce added.

"We're really excited about this opportunity to improve our aging infrastructure. We have a sense of security too with the redundant water line we're proposing," Luce said.

State Agriculture Leadership

Tim Boring, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director, emphasized the broader implications:

"Long-term partnerships like these are evidence that companies see the strength of Michigan's food, agriculture and forestry industry and want to leverage its success," Boring stated.

"This investment also reinforces our mission at the state of improving quality of life for Michiganders. We're committed to attracting projects that improve infrastructure and value-added processing in a way that benefits our industry, our communities and regional economies," he added.

Regional Benefits Beyond Fairlife

Coopersville will use the $17 million Strategic Site Readiness Program funds for infrastructure improvements that will benefit the broader region, including Polkton Charter Township and Allendale Charter Township.

"The combination of private investment and public infrastructure improvements helps address longstanding capacity constraints, supports existing employers, and creates the conditions needed for future business growth and job creation across the community," Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage, stated.

"The infrastructure updates will also complement upgrades underway with the Southeast Regional Force Main project," the MEDC noted.

Context: Fairlife's Continued Growth

The Coopersville expansion follows another $650 million expansion in Webster, New York, where Fairlife is set to open a new production facility later this year. The Michigan investment represents the company's continued commitment to West Michigan.

The Alternative State Essential Services Assessment Exemption grant, valued at approximately $3.9 million, will provide a 15-year abatement to support the expansion.

Making Michigan Competitive

Michigan Business Director Tim Boring emphasized the strategic importance of such investments:

"Long-term partnerships like these are evidence that companies see the strength of Michigan's food, agriculture and forestry industry and want to leverage its success," Boring stated.

"This investment also reinforces our mission at the state of improving quality of life for Michiganders," he added.

What's Next

The MEDC noted that investment and job numbers represent the commitment made by the business to the state of Michigan. Terms will be formalized in a performance-based project agreement, with funds disbursed as reimbursement based on eligible expenditures, and are subject to amendment or cancellation if the commitments are not met due to risks or uncertainties.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation provides a public annual report on agreements and their status to the state legislature.