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1. Who is the Clemens family?

The Clemens family is a sixth-generation, family-owned integrated pork production operation including farming, processing, transportation and logistics. The company’s heritage is deeply rooted in strong family values and a commitment to being responsible and contributing members of the communities where they operate, always with the highest degree of integrity and ethics.

2. Who are Clemens family’s partners on this project?

Clemens has brought together a group of family-owned pork producers, who share Clemens’ commitment to integrity and quality, to partner with the company as shareholders to develop and operate this new facility. These family farms are located in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

3. Who are Clemens public partners on this project?

Clemens’ public partners have been instrumental in the company’s decision to build in Coldwater. Government partners include:

- State of Michigan / Office of the Governor

- Michigan Economic Development Corporation

- Michigan Department of Agriculture

- City of Coldwater

- Coldwater Township

4. What is the anticipated time line for the new plant?

Clemens will spend the next 12-15 months finalizing all of the plans and securing the appropriate permits, working in close partnership with local officials. Clemens anticipates breaking ground for construction in 2015, with plant operations beginning in late 2017 or early 2018.

5. What is the total investment for the project?

The total investment for the project will be approximately $250 million in state-of-the-art facilities.

6. What specific products will be processed in the facility? Where will they be sold?

Clemens expects the product line to include bulk, fresh pork items. The goal will be to have a balance of customers across retail, food service, business-to-business, and export customers throughout the region.

7. What makes Clemens’ pork products unique from what is currently on the market?

Producing high-quality foods requires strict focus and control throughout the entire process. Clemens believes that this facility will benefit from a partnership that begins at the family farms, and extends all the way through a modern processing facility. It is Clemens’ expectations that customers will see unmatched quality and consistency across the product line.

8. Why did Clemens decide to build this facility?

Clemens’ year-long work to research this project, coupled with the results of a feasibility study, confirmed that a fresh pork processing facility in Michigan is viable and a competitive option for growth.

9. Why did Clemens choose the state of Michigan for the location of the plant?

Michigan is located in the Eastern Corn Belt and is a central point for available hog supply. Clemens’ Michigan partners made a strong case for Michigan as a viable plant location, and Clemens agreed with that assessment.

Clemens also valued the insights and partnership with various government and economic development entities involved in the preliminary discussions in the state. Further, Clemens’ producer partners have operations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, which made SW Michigan an ideal and easily accessible location for everyone involved.

10. What incentives were offered from the State of Michigan to build this plant?

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved $12.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for the City of Coldwater for infrastructure improvements, land acquisition, workforce development and on-the-job training for the new development. Additionally, a land transfer agreement between the city of Coldwater and Coldwater Township will allow Coldwater 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 is part of an overall package of local and state support that will total $55 million. This also includes nearly $16 million in tax savings as a result of the recently approved personal property tax reform.

11. How did Clemens choose Coldwater, Michigan?

Geographically, Coldwater is an ideal location for Clemens’ group of partners and it has a regional employee base to pull from. But it was the Coldwater community and elected officials who welcomed Clemens and made it clear they wanted the facility there. Their eagerness to work with Clemens on site selection and site requirements is what solidified Coldwater as the home for the future fresh pork plant.

12. What kind of jobs can people in and around Coldwater expect?

There will be a mix of job opportunities available at the plant in Coldwater ranging from managerial and highly skilled roles to hourly positions all with comprehensive health benefits.

13. Will the plant be a good neighbor?

The Clemens family is committed to being a good neighbor in the communities where it operates. The company has demonstrated that commitment in its Pennsylvania plant, which is surrounded by housing and retail developments. Operating the plant responsibly is a top priority for the Clemens family, and that means ensuring there the plant has no negative impact on the surrounding community and that the land, air and water are preserved for residents and for future generations.

14. Where exactly will this facility be located?

The facility will be located on the southeast corner of I-69 and Jonesville Road.

15. What is Clemens’ commitment to animal care?

The care of hogs – from when they are raised on the farm to when they arrive at our plant – is always of the utmost importance to the Clemens family. Clemens Food Group has a full-time veterinarian on staff to administer our animal care programs. The company has been a leader in the pork industry in animal well-being initiatives and participates in annual audits to ensure the welfare of the hogs raised for the company.

16. What kind of role will Clemens play in the Coldwater community?

Building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships in plant communities where the companies operate is essential to the Clemens family and to its partners in this plant. Together, they are committed to engaging in the local community, being a responsible employer and preserving the land, air and water around the plant.