The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development approved over $481,000 to the City of Muskegon for improving and expanding the city’s Farmers Market.
City Clerk Ann Marie Meisch: “From that, we are going to be doing some expansion in the kitchen of refrigeration system and the freezer system in there, and we’re going to be making some improvements to the barn area. We’re negotiating what those improvements could be.”
Funds will be used to improve Kitchen 242, a commercial incubator that allows local food startups to enter the market with low overhead costs, as well as support over 100 food-based small businesses.
“We’re going to be doing some fundraising, so it will really very much depend on what we can raise. So, the potential is limitless. We are super excited about it.”
Additional dollars for upgrading restrooms and future solar panel installation.
The year-round Muskegon Farmers Market is the second largest in the state with visitor spending topping $400 million annually generating $49 million in tax revenue.
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