Plans Call For New Soybean Processing Plant in Mid-Michigan

ITHACA, Mich. (AP) — Plans call for a new soybean processing plant in mid-Michigan, with construction starting this year.

Zeeland Farm Services' affiliate ZFS Ithaca on Wednesday announced that the facility is planned for the community of Ithaca.

Cliff Meeuwsen, president of ZFS Ithaca, says in a statement that the facility represents "a long-term, 40- or 50-year investment in Michigan agriculture." Meeuwsen says the project will create about 75 full-time jobs and meet soybean processing needs for decades.

To be built on a 435-acre site, the plant will initially include grain receiving and storage and soybean processing. Construction is scheduled to start in late 2016, with operations expected to start at the Gratiot County facility in late 2018 or 2019.