Signature Associates

The pet treat division of Maryland-based Perdue Farms plans to open a production facility in Oceana County and begin operations there in October 2023.

The family-owned food and agriculture company purchased a building at 168 Lincoln St. in Shelby and plans to hire 99 people, according to The Right Place, a Grand Rapids-based economic development group.

“We’re thrilled to have Perdue Farms join the community of Shelby,” Brent Case, vice president of business attraction for The Right Place, said in a news release. “With our region’s abundant natural resources, diverse supply chain, skilled labor and regulation-friendly business environment, we are confident Perdue Farms will thrive here in West Michigan.”

Perdue Farms spent $27 million to buy the building and make improvements to the structure.

The company has started hiring “key positions” for the new site, with additional hiring planned for the second- and third-quarter of 2023. Average annual salary for the new positions is expected to total $40,303, according to The Right Place.

“The central location of this facility in Michigan will help us drive efficiencies in our supply chain, improve freight costs, enable access to a strong local workforce, and allow for multiple phases of expansion within the property’s existing footprint,” Ryan Perdue, vice president and general manager of Perdue’s pet business, said in a statement.

The Right Place assisted the company with its expansion in West Michigan.

In an email, Craig Clark, a public relations professional who works with The Right Place, said the economic development group “coordinated the entire project with Perdue’s site consultant,” and hosted the company in Grand Rapids with other state and local partners. Those partners included the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Works, the Village of Shelby and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, he said.

“The Village of Shelby is excited to welcome Perdue Farms into our community,” Brady Selner, village of Shelby administrator, said in a statement. “The job creation and investment they are making in our Village will have a positive effect for years to come.”

In a news release, The Right Place said the project was driven by growth in Perdue Farms pet treat division. The company sells its pet treats under the Spot Farms and Full Moon brands in the U.S. and Canada.