Originally published by the MEDC
New Fenton Food and Beverage LLC facilities will produce component for plant-based milk alternative products
OVERVIEW: The MSF Board approved a $960,000 MBDP performance-based grant for the newly formed company Fenton Food and Beverage LLC to create at least 96 new jobs and invest up to $56.2 million in the City of Fenton (Genesee County). The Board also approved a five-year, 50% Alternative State Essential Services Agreement (SESA) Exemption with an estimated value of up to $168,000 for its $35 million eligible investment in Eligible Personal Property.
There are three entities connected with the new Fenton location: Fenton Food and Beverage LLC, Fenton Holding Co, Inc., and Fenton Food and Beverage Properties LLC. The project average wage from all of the positions to be hired is anticipated to be $33.32 per hour (plus benefits). All positions will have starting wages higher than the $21.58 Regional Median Wage.
Fenton Food and Beverage LLC is owned by Yahya Abbas of YaYa Foods Corp., a Canadian company with over 30 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing. All manufacturing operations remain independent between YaYa Foods and the new Fenton facility, but it is anticipated that Fenton Food and Beverage LLC may produce a primary product expected to serve as a component in some YaYa Foods products.
“Michigan stood out early in our site selection process, and Fenton offered the right combination of access, workforce, and partnership,” said Yahya Abbas, CEO of Fenton Foods. “We’re excited to move forward and build a strong, long-term operation here.”
WHY IT MATTERS: YaYa Foods Corp has a long history in the plant-based milk alternative space and is the second-largest manufacturer in North America within the category. In addition to providing YaYa Foods Corp with additional opportunities to tap into the U.S. beverage market, the Fenton location expects to be the first in North America to use a new technology of extracting milk from nuts with water instead of making milk from paste.
Michigan was among six states located in the Midwest and Southeast regions in the running for the project, with the talented workforce and the connectivity to cities around the world through Detroit Metro Airport being a significant driver of the decision to choose Michigan.
