IONIA, MI - Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, Michigan's largest egg producer, announced a $16.3 million expansion project on Wednesday, Oct. 18 that will add 33 new jobs over the next three years.

The family-owned company plans to build three cage-free pullet-rearing houses at 1454 Rector Road to raise 2.5 million hens annually. The farm currently hatches about 6 million pullets a year. Pullets are young hens that have not yet begun laying eggs.

The project will create 33 jobs over the next three years, the company said. The total project is estimated to take three years to complete due to pullet-raising cycles.

With more than 800 employees and 8.5 million laying hens, Saranac-based Herbruck's is Michigan's largest egg producer.

The expansion was announced by the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA), The Right Place and Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and other state and local partners.

"We understand the critical role infrastructure plays in our region's ability to continue growing, expanding, and creating jobs in Ionia County," said Morgan Carroll, business development manager, Ionia County Economic Alliance.

"We advocated for Herbruck's growth plans in Ionia to our local and state partners, helping to build support for this unique public-private partnership," Carroll said. "We are thrilled that Herbruck's continues to invest in Ionia County and remains dedicated to being a good corporate citizen in the community."

The MEDC is supporting the expansion through a $523,280 Michigan Development Block Grant towards a $1 million project that will upgrade the quality of Haynor and Rector Roads to all-season standards to accommodate increased truck traffic.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is adding another $200,000 to the road enhancement project; the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) is adding $100,000 and Easton Township is adding $75,000.

This latest expansion builds on a previous announcement in 2015 when Herbruck's released plans for a $43 million expansion, including the investment of $1.5 million in a new, public main sewer line tied directly to the Lakewood system.

"Herbruck's Poultry Ranch truly appreciates the strong partnerships of our local and regional economic development organizations, local officials and state government agencies that enable critical infrastructure improvements, helping us to create new jobs while benefiting everyone in Ionia County," said Herb Herbruck, executive vice president of Herbruck's Poultry Ranch.

"As a fourth-generation family farm, Herbruck's is proud to call Ionia County home and we're thankful for the assistance provided by the Ionia County Economic Alliance, The Right Place, MEDC and many other partners to help us expand and create additional jobs."