A Defining Investment in Muskegon County
GMED is helping drive one of Muskegon County’s largest-ever economic development projects forward. Chobani’s proposed $567 million expansion of its La Colombe plant in the City of Norton Shores reflects the strength of the county’s infrastructure, workforce, and long-term economic strategy.
At a Glance:
- $567M investment
- ~340 new jobs, in addition to 312 existing
- 200,000-square-foot expansion
- 615M pounds of annual milk processing capacity
A Project Years in the Making
Chobani, America’s No. 1 yogurt brand, acquired La Colombe in 2023 as part of its strategy to enter the ready-to-drink coffee market with a better-for-you, more nutritious product. The effort set the stage for continued growth in Muskegon County.
With initial approval secured from the Michigan Strategic Fund in March, the proposed expansion is moving closer to construction, bringing new jobs, expanded production capacity, and long-term economic impact to the region. The project will add approximately 200,000 square feet to the existing Norton Shores facility, which will operate as a large-scale, 24/7 production hub for La Colombe’s signature ready-to-drink lattes.
A project of this scale requires infrastructure investments that build on Muskegon County’s already strong foundation — supporting not only today’s needs, but tomorrow’s opportunities.
“There’s a reason companies like La Colombe and Chobani are choosing to invest here.” ~ Trevor Friedeberg, GMED President & CEO
The state approved a $28 million Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) award toward initial phases of the county and city’s estimated $64.5 million water and wastewater system upgrades. These improvements will support the company’s growth from an estimated 30 million to about 615 million pounds of milk processed annually, while also strengthening infrastructure capacity for future development across the region.
Brewing Growth Through Partnership
This project reflects the strength of coordinated regional leadership, bringing together GMED, the City of Norton Shores, Muskegon County and partners across state and corporate levels. The result is an economic ripple effect that extends far beyond Muskegon County, driving increased demand for milk, transportation, packaging, and other key areas within the regional supply chain.
“This is the kind of project that doesn’t just create good jobs — it strengthens entire industries.” ~ Trevor Friedeberg, GMED President & CEO
