IONIA, MI – Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch is embarking on a $17.5 million expansion that will add 50 employees to its workforce of 400 over the next three years, state and local economic development officials announced Wednesday, Feb. 27.

The expansion of the state's largest egg producer will be aided by a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), according to the announcement by the state agency and the Ionia County Economic Alliance in partnership with The Right Place, Inc.

Herbruck's, the 12th largest egg producer in the United States, keeps 6 million-plus hens that produce about 1. 5 billion eggs a year. Its facility south of Int. 96 near Ionia produces all of the eggs for McDonald's restaurants east of the Mississippi River.

Part of the expansion will include construction of a $2 million pipeline to transport liquid waste from four of Herbruck’s egg producing facilities to the Lakewood Wastewater Authority treatment plant in Lake Odessa.

To support Herbruck’s growth, the Lakewood Wastewater Authority is waiving the sanitary sewer connection fee of $405,000, according to a news release.

The state grant also will be used to expand Herbruck’s facilities at three locations in Saranac and Ionia, said Jennifer Wangler an Ionia County Business Development Specialist with The Right Place, Inc.

“Herbruck’s Poultry is a mainstay of Ionia County, so we’re honored to help them grow their legacy,” Wangler said in a news release announcing the state grant.

“This expansion will help Herbruck to continue to be a leader in the egg production industry nationally while keeping its roots firmly planted in Ionia County,” she said.

“As a third and fourth-generation family business in Ionia County, we are dedicated to investing and creating jobs in our local community,” said Herb Herbruck, Vice President of Operations.

“With the assistance provided by the Ionia County Economic Alliance and the MEDC, our plans to expand and invest in Ionia County are now a reality.”

E-mail Jim Harger: jharger@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JHHarger