The Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA) and The Right Place, in partnership with The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced June 18 new expansion plans for Ionia-based Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, Inc. The local expansion is expected to create 50 new jobs and $43 million in capital investment by the company.

Herbruck’s plans to significantly expand its organic and cage-free production facilities to meet increased market demand, by adding new egg-laying and pullet growing capacity.

“Quality organic, cage-free eggs are in high demand and Herbruck’s is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this growth opportunity,” said Herb Herbruck, executive vice president, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch. “We are very proud of our Ionia heritage and look forward to continued growth and investment in the community.”

This latest expansion builds on a previous announcement in 2014 when Herbruck’s released plans for a $33 million expansion, including the investment of $1.5 million in a new, public main sewer line tied directly to the Lakewood system. The company's expansion of this sewer line, funded by Herbruck’s, will be available to any company along the line.   Upon completion the new sewer line will be donated to the community.  The investment and expansion of this line is provides the possibility of additional economic growth in the area. 

The MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Business Development Program. An existing performance-based grant approved for the company in 2014 will be modified, increasing the total grant from $500,000 to $750,000. The resulting $750,000 grant will support a total investment of $76,000,000 and the creation of 100 new jobs at Herbruck’s.