MEDC awards grant for expansion of food co-op in Marquette

The Marquette Food Cooperative is expanding with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

LANSING, Mich. – The Marquette Food Cooperative is expanding with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The expansion is expected to generate $3.4 million in new private investment and add 30 new jobs. 

“The expansion of the Marquette Food Co-Op will provide additional fresh and healthy food options to area residents, bring new vitality to downtown Marquette and serve as a catalyst for additional positive economic activity in the community,” said MEDC president and CEO Michael A. Finney. “We are pleased to support the efforts of the entire community in making the project a reality.”

Marquette Food Cooperative, Inc. is a 42 year old community-owned organic and natural grocery store providing access to healthy food, specializing in local food, and also producing a wide variety of services and programs related to food education, agriculture, and healthy eating. The company has completed two expansions in the last 10 years and plans to renovate two vacant buildings for additional expansion in the City of Marquette. The completed project will provide additional space for a regional “food hub” that will include a teaching kitchen and educational classroom. The project will generate a total capital investment of $3.4 million and create 30 jobs, resulting in a $615,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant. The City of Marquette will contribute $115,000 toward the project in the form of a tax abatement.

“The award of this Community Revitalization Program grant to the Marquette Food Co-op impacts far more than just the Co-op itself. This expansion of our operations and services benefits all the member-owners of this cooperative, and many others throughout the Upper Peninsula,” said Marquette Food Co-Op General Manager Matt Gougeon. “By helping to bring affordable healthy food choices, food education, and small farm advocacy under one roof in downtown Marquette, this grant and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation along with the Michigan Strategic Fund have, in effect, partnered with thousands of Upper Peninsula residents.” 

The Michigan Community Revitalization Program provides grants, loans, or other economic assistance of up to $10 million to projects that will revitalize regional urban areas, act as a catalyst for additional investment in a community, reuse vacant or historic buildings and promote mixed use and sustainable development.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.