Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., Edwardsville, Ill., announced a $29 million investment in its Battle Creek, Mich., facility. The expansion will allow the company to add 16 new positions, manufacture new specialty products and expand its U.S. distribution footprint.

The company plans to build an extension to its existing manufacturing facility. Construction on the 14,000-square-foot expansion began in November 2017. Additionally, renovations are planned on previously unused 8,000 square feet of the plant. Construction is expected to be complete in April, with processing lines fully operational around Labor Day.

The state-of-the-art addition will include a processing line for ultra-pasteurized milk, which adds additional shelf life to the products. This would be used for existing milk and cream products, as well as for potential new items. The expansion will also include corrugation and palletizing capabilities to existing plant products.

“This expansion allows us to look ahead long term. This facility has been here since 2003, and I feel this is the right move for Prairie Farms’ growth in Michigan,” says Tom Davis, general manager of Prairie Farms’ Battle Creek facility.