Quality Roasting, a company that processes soybeans into soybean meal and oil primarily for the dairy industry, will locate its newest new soybean crushing facility in Reese, Michigan.

According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the joint venture between the parent, Quality Roasting Inc., and the DeLong Co. Inc. will follow the business model of the parent, which heats and presses the soybeans to extract the crude oil. The plant will process raw soybeans into soybean meal and crude oil in Tuscola County. The remnant is used for feed for dairy cattle.

As an incentive the $10 million project received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The company was awarded an $80,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. In addition, Gilford Township offered a 50 percent property tax abatement in support of the project.

In January, the Michigan Strategic Fund also approved a bond authorizing resolution for the issuance of $10 million in private activity bonds for Quality Roasting to acquire land, construct the facility and acquire and install machinery and equipment.

“With Quality Roasting’s construction of its new processing facility in Reese, the state’s agriculture and food-processing industries will become more competitive, and as a result, livestock farmers and consumers will benefit,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF. “We welcome Quality Roasting to Michigan and look forward to working with the company as they grow and add jobs here.”

“Quality Roasting is excited to be part of the Michigan community. We appreciate all the support we have received from the state, county and township,” said Quality Roasting Director of Business Operations Erin Davis. “We look forward to bringing more value to Michigan soybean producers.”

“The Tuscola County EDC is very excited that a Wisconsin-based company has chosen Tuscola County to grow their business in Michigan, in Tuscola County,” said Tuscola County EDC Director Steve Erickson. “Because of this decision to locate in Tuscola County, we will continue to be leaders statewide in the dairy and agricultural industries. We congratulate Quality Roasting for becoming a valued part of Tuscola County and the Thumb Area.”

It is anticipated that Quality Roasting will use approximately 2.2 million bushels of soybeans, or about 2 percent of the state-wide annual soybean yield. With Quality Roasting’s new facility, soybean producers will see an increase in the availability of the processing of soybeans in Michigan.

In July 2018, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development approved a $75,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Fund performance-based grant in support of the project.

“We are very proud to help make this development happen,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “Not only will it mean more full-time jobs for the residents of Tuscola County, but it will also help keep Michigan dollars in Michigan and give a much-needed boost to the price of soybeans for Michigan farmers who grow them.