On May 6, Cargill, its customers, community leaders, government officials and employees dedicated a $27 million expansion of the company’s egg processing facility in Lake Odessa, Mich., with a ribbon-cutting event.

The investment provides additional processing capabilities in specialized eggs for a key customer in support of Cargill's branded product business growth needs, according to an announcement.

The plant expansion adds approximately 28,000 sq. ft. of egg processing capabilities and includes specialized equipment. Contractors completed the expansion in 15 months.

Cargill’s Lake Odessa, Mich., egg processing facility recently completed a $27 million expansion that added 50 jobs . Source: Cargill

It also has created 50 new jobs. Prior to the expansion, the Cargill egg processing plant at Lake Odessa employed 187 people, and with the expansion, the plant now employs 236 people.

“Our Lake Odessa expansion is a collaborative effort between Cargill and its customer, as well as state and local entities, to develop egg processing for an existing product that required cutting-edge equipment technology,” plant manager Jay Patel explained. “Both we and our customer have a shared goal for growing our businesses while providing high-quality egg protein to U.S. consumers. This investment underscores our commitment to grow our egg business and meet the needs of our customers. “

The Lake Odessa plant opened in 1989, and Cargill acquired it in 1994. In 2014, Cargill completed a $10.6 million expansion at the facility that added 22,500 sq. ft. of cooler and freezer storage space.