WattAgNet: Herbruck’s plans $16.3 million egg facility expansion

Egg company will add three pullet-rearing facilities at Ionia, Michigan, farm

Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch is expanding its egg farm in Ionia County, Michigan, creating 33 jobs and $16.3 million in capital investment.

Herbruck’s plans to construct three cage-free pullet-rearing facilities to raise 2.5 million young hens, annually in Ionia County. The project, which also calls for significant investments in aviary equipment and construction, will create 33 jobs over the next three years.

The total project is estimated to take three years to complete due to the pullet raising cycles.

This latest expansion builds on a previous announcement in 2015 when Herbruck’s released plans for a $43 million expansion, including the investment of $1.5 million in a new, public main sewer line tied directly to the Lakewood system.

Feed to be locally sourced
The feed used to raise the cage-free pullets will be locally sourced, potentially creating $3 million in local contracts annually.

Partnerships from government entities
The expansion is being made in partnership with the Ionia County Economic Alliance, The Right Place, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and other state and local partners.

“Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch truly appreciates the strong partnerships of our local and regional economic development organizations, local officials and state government agencies that enable critical infrastructure improvements, helping us to create new jobs while benefiting everyone in Ionia County,” said Herb Herbruck, executive vice president of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch. “As a fourth-generation family farm, Herbruck’s is proud to call Ionia County home and we’re thankful for the assistance provided by the Ionia County Economic Alliance, The Right Place, MEDC and many other partners to help us expand and create additional jobs.”

The MEDC is supporting the expansion and investment through a $523,280 Michigan Development Block Grant which will support road infrastructure enhancements such as upgrading the quality of Haynor and Rector Roads to Class A (all-season) standards to accommodate increased truck traffic.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) and Easton Township are also supporting the project with grants.

Expected cost of the road enhancement phase is just over $1 million with $898,000 in grants. Herbruck’s will invest an estimated $150,000 for the road project.