The County Press

Soybean processing facility to be built in Tuscola County


LANSING — Michigan has scored another win for attracting value-added agricultural processing business to the state, after competing against potential sites in New York and Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin-based Quality Roasting Inc. and the DeLong Co. Inc. announced plans on Thursday to construct a new soybean processing facility operating as Quality Roasting LLC in Tuscola County, near Reese.

Quality Roasting LCC established in 2018 as a joint venture between Quality Roasting Inc., and the DeLong Co. Inc. is expected to process approximately 2.2 million bushels of soybeans annually, producing oil and soybean meal through an expeller extracted process for use in dairy rations.

“Quality Roasting is excited to be part of the Michigan community,” said Erin Davis, director of business operations for Quality Roasting. “We appreciate all the support we have received from the state, county and township, and we look forward to bringing more value to Michigan soybean producers.”

The new processing facility is projected to generate a total capital investment of $10 million and create eight jobs. In contingent with the project, the company’s awarded an $80,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance based grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Michigan Strategic Fund.

“With Quality Roasting’s construction of its new processing facility in Reese, the state’s agriculture and food-processing industries will become more competitive, and as a result, livestock farmers and consumers will benefit,” said MEDC CEO Jeff Mason. “We welcome Quality Roasting to Michigan and look forward to working with the company as they grow and add jobs here.”

The Michigan Strategic Fund also approved a bond in January authorizing a resolution for the issuance of $10 million in private activity bonds for Quality Roasting to acquire land, construct the facility and acquire and install machinery and equipment.

Additional support was provided at the local level, with Gilford Township offering a 50 percent property tax abatement in support of the project.

In July 2018, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development approved a $75,000 Food and Agriculture Investment Fund performance-based grant in support of the project.

“We are very proud to help make this development happen,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “Not only will it mean more full-time jobs for the residents of Tuscola County, but it will also help keep Michigan dollars in Michigan and give a much-needed boost to the price of soybeans for Michigan farmers who grow them.”

Quality Roasting Inc. was established in 1991 to meet the growing demand for high quality soybean products in cattle diets. The original Wisconsin roasting facility was built with 4,000 bushel of storage. The company has since grown to two Wisconsin locations, with over 2 million bushel of storage space and 20 employees.

In 2000, Quality Roasting Inc. introduced their Exceller Meal, a high by-pass protein soybean meal for use in rations for high producing dairy cows. The company also offers a forward contracting program to guarantee producer pricing and ensure the quality and timeliness of product deliveries.

The DeLong Co. Inc., headquartered in Clinton, Wis., was established in 1929 by brothers William and Jesse DeLong. In addition to being a grain elevator and major supplier of food grains, the company provides seed, fertilizer and chemical inputs and services for growers in Wisconsin and Illinois, and operates two warehouses to wholesale and distribute various feed and pet products to dealers in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

A family-owned and managed organization, DeLong Co. employs 350 people and is comprised of six divisions, including agricultural sales and service: agronomy, grain, exports, seed, wholesale distribution and transportation.