In 2020, Peterson Farms, Inc. completed an equipment upgrade and capacity improvement project with the assistance of a New Markets Tax Credit investment from Michigan Community Capital. The project included equipment purchase and installation for four capacity expansions, including: rA new tart cheery juice bottling linerA second applesauce production line, increasing capacity to over 38 million gallons annuallyrCapacity improvements to the blueberry processing line that increases yield by 50 million pounds annuallyrReplacement of the apple peeling line with new ABL fresh apple peeling lines, which are expected to produce 10% to 15% more yield than the current peelers.rThe new line will result in less waste while increasing the output of sliced apples.rPeterson Farms, Inc. is a family-owned fruit processing company founded in 1984 and is based in rural Shelby, Michigan (Oceana County). The company is a market leader of frozen fruits in the United States, operating various plants dedicated to individual quick frozen (IQF) fruits, fresh cut apples, applesauce, fruit purees, juicing, and cold-storage operations. The Peterson Farms project created 54 FTEs and retained 610 FTEs at its Shelby location. All jobs are full-time and include a comprehensive benefits package featuring medical, dental, and vision insurance short-term and long-term disability life insurance critical illness and accidental coverage and a 401(k) plan with employer contributions. On average, employees earn a wage of $17.50 per hour, 63% more than the local living wage of $10.74 per hour. 100% of jobs fall above the living wage threshold.
