The USDA announced Wednesday they will be making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states, including a local plant near Big Rapids, to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers and lower food costs for U.S. consumers.

“When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Through today's investments to make more fertilizer, USDA is bringing jobs back to the United States, lowering costs for families, and supporting farmer income.”

The Michigan Potash Company LLC, which is family-owned, will use an 80 million dollar grant to construct a facility in Osceola County. According to some sources, the facility will likely be built in Evart Township. This expansion effort is expected to yield 400,000 tons per year of high-grade potash, which is an alkaline-potassium compound that helps with future crop growth.

The USDA is awarding more than 116 million dollars through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program to help eight facilities expand innovative fertilizer production. Other recipients are located in California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.