LANSING, Mich. – A new pork processing plant is coming to Coldwater Township along with more than 800 new jobs, Clemens Food Group recently announced.

Pennsylvania-based Clemens Food Group is a family owned integrated pork production operation that includes farming, processing, transportation and logistics. The company has a total of 2,200 employees. The new facility will span 550,000 sq. ft. and create 810 jobs. The project is expected to generate $255.7 million in total capital investment. Clemens Food plans to break ground on the project in 2017 and open later in 2017 or early 2018.

"Today's announcement marks a major milestone in the history of our company and the future of pork production in the state of Michigan," said Doug Clemens, CEO, Clemens Food Group. "On behalf of our more than 2,000 employees, our family shareholders and our family farm partners who have joined us in this venture, we thank Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders in Michigan and Coldwater and Coldwater Township for having the vision to see the opportunities to position the state to compete in the global pork market."

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved $12.5 million in Community Development Block Grant Funds to Coldwater Township to pay for infrastructure improvements, land acquisition, workforce development and the on-the-job training.

Other key components of the deal include a land transfer agreement by The City of Coldwater and Coldwater Township. The transfer will allow the city to contribute $4.5 million toward the project for infrastructure improvements at the site, including water and sewer main extensions and a new municipal electric overhead distribution line. That support combined with the block grant is part of an overall package of local and state support that will total $55 million. The amount also includes nearly $16 million in tax savings as a result of the recently approved personal property tax reform.