QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development today approved $450,000 in Food and Agriculture Investment Program (FAIP) grant funding for Star of the West Corn Milling LLC. to construct a new mill facility, implement advanced technology and create 17 new jobs in Quincy.
State officials say the funding will support the $79 million development project to build a new, state-of-the-art dry corn mill. That includes the demolition of decommissioned mill structures and construction of a six-story slipform mill building, warehouse/packaging area, feed loadout structure and employee relief/office building.
They say the new mill building will enable Star of the West to take advantage of advanced automation technology and modernization processes.
Although Michigan produces more than 340 million bushels of corn each year, the state does not have any corn mills. Star of the West’s development project will enable the company to add value to more than 5 million bushels of Michigan food grade corn in year one of operation and more than 6.7 million bushels per year by year five. This will have a large impact on Michigan farmers, providing an economic opportunity and a stable and reliable end-user market.
“We are honored to receive this investment from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development through the Food and Agriculture Investment Program,” said Karina Spencer, Executive Vice President of Star of the West’s Flour Milling Division. “This funding will help us strengthen our supply chain, create new opportunities for Michigan agriculture, and support long-term economic growth in our community. We appreciate MDARD’s commitment to investing in innovative food and agriculture businesses that add value to Michigan-grown products and help build a stronger, more resilient agricultural economy.”
Although Michigan produces more than 340 million bushels of corn each year, the state does not have any corn mills. MDARD says the Star of the West’s development project will enable the company to add value to more than five million bushels of Michigan food grade corn in year one of operation and more than 6.7 million bushels per year by year five, with a large impact on Michigan farmers, providing an economic opportunity and a stable and reliable end-user market.
Architectural rendering of the south side of Star of the West’s planned corn milling facility in Quincy, Michigan (courtesy MDARD)
Founded in 1870 in Frankenmuth, Star of the West is a premier supplier of flour, dry edible beans, food grade soybeans and ready-to-eat wheat flakes. The company operates four mills in four states along with over 30 elevators and five bean processing facilities. Star of the West is the 10th-largest miller in the United States and was the 2015 recipient of MDARD’s Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year Award.
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