Coopersville lands $17M water upgrade to drive growth, add 150 jobs

What’s happening: A $17 million infrastructure grant to the city of Coopersville has been approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund board. This grant will advance a regional water system upgrade that will help ultra-filtered milk producer Fairlife expand production. This grant will allow Fairlife to create more than 150 jobs and secure more than 400 existing positions.

Why it’s important: “Investments like this strengthen the region well beyond a single project,” says Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “The combination of private investment and public infrastructure improvements helps address longstanding capacity constraints, supports existing employers, and creates the conditions needed for future business growth and job creation across the community. It also builds momentum for the Lakeshore’s growing agribusiness and food production industry cluster, where reliable infrastructure and a strong supply chain are essential.”

What’s the impact: The proposed grant will allow the city of Coopersville to add a 20-inch transmission main and additional water storage tank, enabling it to provide 1.1 million additional gallons of water per day. This state grant provides the initial funding to begin a three-phase water infrastructure upgrade plan estimated to cost nearly $47 million. The additional infrastructure costs will be covered by major water users and community service agreements. 

What’s the problem: Currently, the city of Coopersville relies on a single 16-inch water main that is more than 50 years old. This line is an obstacle to industrial, housing, and commercial growth. 

What they’re saying: “This project is not only about improving essential services for our residents and businesses, it also positions us for continued economic growth,” says Dennis Luce, city manager for Coopersville. “In particular, it supports the expansion of Fairlife, one of our largest local employers, which is a significant win for our agricultural community here in West Michigan and for dairy suppliers across the entire state.”

Who benefits: This investment offers opportunities beyond the city of Coopersville. It may also offer additional water capacity to Polkton Township, Allendale Charter Township, and Tallmadge Township. The city of Grand Rapids provides water to these communities through a partnership with Ottawa County. 

How does it work: “Ottawa County relies on strong regional partnerships to provide water service throughout the county, and this project is another great example of the benefits of that approach,” says Patrick Staskiewicz, public utilities director at Ottawa County Road Commission. “There are direct benefits to Coopersville and to the Polkton township residents along the route. With a large industrial user like Fairlife, this project will also help to keep rates stable for the users of the Grand Rapids Water System and the Muskegon County Wastewater System.”

What’s next: The strengthened water system and added capacity will help Michigan’s food production and agriculture economy grow by supporting employers that rely on predictable, high-capacity water service. Improvements will encourage a healthier tax base and long‑term community revitalization.

What’s the big picture: “The West Michigan agribusiness corridor is a significant component of Michigan’s overall economy, and it is imperative that it has the infrastructure it needs to produce high-quality, high-recognition products that people across the nation know and enjoy,” said Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund board.

What’s the direct impact: Increased production capacity at the Fairlife facility will strengthen demand for dairy producers and suppliers in the region. For each direct job at the facility, 10 additional dairy jobs are projected to help supply the increased capacity. The food manufacturing cluster in Ottawa and Allegan Counties supports over 7,000 jobs with average earnings of about $87,000, according to Lightcast.

What’s the catalyst: Lakeshore Advantage, the region’s economic development organization, assisted the city of Coopersville and project partners with coordination and navigation of resources to advance the regional water infrastructure upgrades.