Governor Gretchen Whitmer awarded a $790,000 state Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) grant to upgrade Shelby Road in Oceana County to an all-seasons roadway, so that Perdue Farms and Peterson Farms can expand their businesses.
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The grant will support a total of 128 new jobs and will enable $31 million in private investments in the Village and Township of Shelby in Oceana County.
"Fixing our roads and bridges drives economic activity and ensures people can go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands safely," said Governor Whitmer.
"Since I took office, we have fixed over 16,000 lane miles of road and more than 1,200 bridges, supporting 89,000 construction jobs. Today’s grants will support 128 more jobs with investments in Oceana County spurring economic development.
"Together, we are continuing our economic momentum and building a brighter future for Michigan."
The TEDF grant helps finance public highway, road, and street projects that are critical to the movement of people and products, and getting workers to their jobs, materials to growers and manufacturers, and finished goods to consumers.
The road project submitted by the Oceana County Road Commission will support investment and job creation for Perdue Farms, LLC and Peterson Farms, Inc.
Perdue Farms is the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness, based in Salisbury, Maryland. Perdue Foods is a major chicken, turkey, and pork processing company in the United States and is branching out into a pet treat division and will produce fresh pet treats and food.
Perdue Farms is purchasing and renovating the previous Oceana Food plant, which is currently closed, located on 1st Street.
Peterson Farms is headquartered in Shelby and is a market leader in the United States producing both fresh and frozen fruits. Their main fruit production is apples, blueberries, cherries, applesauce, and bottled juices.
The condition of the existing roads and inconsistent all-season road network was an issue identified by both companies as they were exploring their investment and expansion options.
To meet the needs of the companies, First Street will have the asphalt surface milled and repaved from State Street to the west village limits.
Shelby Road will be crushed, shaped, and repaved to all season standards from the west village limits of Shelby to 64th Avenue.
A new right turn lane will also be constructed to accommodate the traffic increases, provide protected turn movements, lessen delays, and improve safety. ■