LANSING –The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently awarded Value-Added and Regional Food System grants to 24 Michigan producers, processors, and community development organizations. They include a planned distillery in Escanaba. These grants help retain, expand, attract, or develop agricultural processing in Michigan through targeted investments in technology and equipment, feasibility studies, healthy food access, regional food systems, and urban agriculture.

Lake Effect Distillery in Escanaba was awarded $100,000 to increase utilization of Upper Peninsula grown grains through expanded milling capacity. Lake Effect Distillery is located in downtown Escanaba and is still being renovated.

The only other business in the Upper Peninsula to receive one of the grants was Lake Superior Oil & Vinegar, LLC in Sault Saint Marie. It received $25,300 to improve production capability to meet the increased demand for new oil and vinegar flavors and infused product lines.

“Governor Whitmer continues to ensure that every person, business, and community can ‘make it in Michigan,’ and MDARD is following suit by making bold investments into the state’s growing food and agricultural businesses,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “These investments highlight the unique opportunities available to our local food and agriculture businesses while allowing companies to increase capacity, secure supply chains, and implement climate-smart practices. With Governor Whitmer’s leadership, we’re ensuring Michigan is an essential destination for our food and agriculture industry.”

MDARD received 109 eligible proposals with requests totaling more than $8.6 million. Each proposal is competitively reviewed by a joint evaluation committee that makes recommendations to the MDARD Director for selection of award recipients.