Photo: Generalmills.com
Comstock Township, MI – General Mills, one of the world’s largest food companies, will locate a new leased distribution center in the Charter Township of Comstock, focused primarily on its yogurt business.
According to a news release the developer is expected to break ground this week on the new facility within Midlink Business Park.
The new 155,000-square-foot center is expected to be operational by July 2014. General Mills will lease the facility, which is expected to create 27 jobs over two years. Minneapolis-based General Mills selected this Southwest Michigan location for its strategic geographical location.
“Comstock Township is a great location for this new facility, strategically enhancing overall Supply Chain/Logistics for General Mills,” said Kevin Schoen, vice president, North American Logistics, General Mills. “We greatly appreciate the support of the local community and state officials, and we can’t wait to have our new Comstock facility in operation.”
Comstock Township has supported the project with a 10-year real and personal property tax abatement valued at $1,526,000. Kalamazoo County will contribute $1,523,900 in combined Brownfield and local incentives. The State of Michigan provided a state education tax abatement valued at $371,000 in support.
“I am excited about General Mills choosing Comstock Township and establishing roots in our
community. This project brings along job opportunities, utilization of the highest and best use of its chosen location at the Midlink Business Park, as well as an increase in our tax base, especially for the Comstock Public Schools. It was a pleasure to be able to coordinate and bring together various local and state government entities and establish a solid working relationship with General Mills and their contractors,” said Ann Nieuwenhuis, Comstock Township Supervisor.
“Kalamazoo County, through the work of our Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, is very proud to support the General Mills-leased development at Midlink. This is another great example of many public/private partnerships, led by Southwest Michigan First, to grow jobs and our regional economy,” added Peter Battani, Kalamazoo County Administrator.
“General Mills is recognized across the world for its leadership and its choice of Michigan for new investment and job creation underscores our state’s strategic importance in the food industry,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “General Mills’ decision to build a new cold chain facility in Comstock Township signals Michigan’s leadership in manufacturing food products and bringing those products to market.”
Ron Kitchens, chief executive officer of Southwest Michigan First commented, “Southwest Michigan First thanks General Mills for embracing the combined efforts of our regional partners to attract the company to Southwest Michigan. We look forward to the working with the company as it builds out its location in Comstock Township and begins to engage with our local workforce in lean manufacturing practices.”
General Mills is one of the world’s leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries around the world. Its brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2013 worldwide sales of US $17.8 billion.
