National Food Processor Expanding Again In West Michigan

Hearthside-food-processor
Photo credit: Hearthside

Illinois-based Hearthside Food Solutions will invest nearly $10.7 million to expand its Kentwood, Michigan facility and add at least 91 new jobs. Over the next three years, Hearthside plans to invest in both building renovations and equipment in an effort to build capacity in response to continued customer demand. To support the expansion, the food processor has been approved for a $450,000 performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program.

“West Michigan continues to be part of Hearthside’s long-term strategy of providing superior independent baking services for the world’s premier consumer brands,” said Matthew Sagendorf, Vice President of Engineering, Hearthside Food Solutions.

The company operates 19 locations throughout the Midwest and East Coast, with four facilities in the Grand Rapids metro area.

“This investment and expansion project was just as much a business retention project as it was an expansion,” said Megan Sall, Business Development Manager, The Right Place, Inc., and lead on the project. “West Michigan’s food processing industry is one of the strongest in the Midwest and we are pleased that Hearthside will continue its growth story in the region.”

The Right Place worked with Hearthside’s site selection agency, Hickey & Associates, throughout the project, ensuring the expansion occurred in West Michigan.

“This was a very competitive project with a variety of opportunities for Hearthside,” said John Kerr, Associate, Hickey & Associates, LLC. “The Right Place provided prompt, excellent level of local service and support throughout the process, ensuring the Hearthside team had all the information they needed to make the best decision for their company.”

The city of Kentwood provided local municipal support for the expansion throughout the project.
“We are pleased that Hearthside Food Solutions has chosen to invest in its Kentwood facility and we are happy to be a partner in its success,” said Stephen Kepley, Mayor, City of Kentwood. “We recognize that businesses have many options for expansion and we appreciate Hearthside’s decision to keep jobs in the West Michigan area.”

With this latest economic development project, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated $46.7 million in capital investment and assisted in the creation of 282 jobs in West Michigan in 2015.