HOLLAND, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday, May 31, to announce two significant business expansion projects in Holland that are set to create 138 new jobs while giving the area an economic boost.
“Today’s investments by Coastal Container and Hudsonville Creamery will create a combined 138 good-paying jobs for Michiganders in and around Holland as we continue growing Michigan’s economy and investing in every region of the state,” said Whitmer. “With 4.3% unemployment, strong small business growth, and rising wages, our economy is on the move, and I will stay focused on the fundamentals that matter most to working families and communities while ensuring Michigan leads the way in key industries like manufacturing and agribusiness. I will keep fighting to bring more jobs and investment to Michigan and work with anyone to grow our economy.”
Coastal Container Corporation was founded in 2007, and is a locally-owned, full-service provider of packaging supplies serving multiple industries to include agricultural, automotive, eCommerce, and food and beverage.
With 94 people under it’s employ, Coastal plans to add 65,000 square feet of manufacturing space along with new equipment to include an on-site corrugator. The company has been experiencing increasing demand as consumer spending has shifted toward eCommerce purchases, thus leading to a greater need for corrugated materials.
The expansion is expected to create 62 jobs in the company over the next three years.
Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Company was founded in 1895 as a cooperative of local farmers.
The company, which is seeing significant growth as it enters the novelty ice cream space, has 172 employees in Michigan.
Due to increased demand, Hudsonville is planning a multi-phase expansion at its facility in Holland to include more manufacturing space, new machinery and equipment, and renovated employee facilities.
As an extra bonus, the City of Holland plans to support both companies in the expansion project with a 50-percent property tax abatement.
