Hey, when you’re as good at growing things as the team at DeGroot, Inc. of Coloma, you eventually have to grow your own footprint to handle the success and that is the case for the burgeoning bulb business thanks to some tax relief help from the team at Cornerstone Alliance.
As Berrien County’s lead economic development agency, Cornerstone Alliance has been working behind the scenes to help the prolific team at DeGroot, Inc. with plans to add more than 69,000 square feet of new warehouse space at its facility in Coloma, the second such expansion in less than five years. The Cornerstone team presented the tax abatement on DeGroot’s behalf which was approved last night by Coloma Charter Township Trustees.
DeGroot began as a bulb grower in Coloma in 1957 and has become one of the largest packaged dormant plant suppliers in the nation. For more than three decades, DeGroot has grown perennials and edibles. Today they are known as a one-stop source for the best selection of small fruit plants, along with perennials, flower bulbs, vegetables, and flowering shrubs.
Cathy Tilley is Business Development Manager for Cornerstone. She tells us, “DeGroot is a multi-generational, Michigan-grown business and we are proud they decided to expand their operations in Michigan’s Great Southwest.” She adds, “DeGroot is a community-oriented company, which is further demonstrated by their investment in this expansion project that will create new opportunities.”
DeGroot is adding 60,000 square feet of warehouse, along with a 9,000 square foot cooler, to its existing facilities. This project was spurred by the growth of new business throughout the U.S. and is expected to be completed by this December. In addition to the more than $1 Million investment, DeGroot will add five full time jobs and fifteen seasonal jobs to DeGroot’s existing employment of 25 full-time employees and more than 100 seasonal positions.
Tyler Richardson is Chief Financial Officer at DeGroot. He says, “We are very thankful for the hard work and dedication of our employees that has led to the rapid growth we have experienced since our last expansion in 2014 and has required us to expand our facility again.” Richardson adds, “We are also thankful for the tax abatement approved by the Coloma Township board which will reduce some of the additional tax burden we will see as a result of this expansion, allowing us to continue to invest in our company, our employees, and this community. This wouldn’t have been possible without our partners at Cornerstone Alliance and we appreciate their assistance.”
Cornerstone President Rob Cleveland says, “Cornerstone Alliance is here to help companies of all sizes and we appreciate the confidence DeGroot had in allowing us to have a hand in helping them execute this project.” He adds, “This is the second expansion project for DeGroot in the last five years and both projects have significant benefit to Michigan’s Great Southwest.”
Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base in Michigan’s Great Southwest; with specialized business services offered in economically distressed areas.
The floral photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of DeGroot, Inc.
