MSU Product Center 2025 Economic Impacts
DOWNLOADJuly 2, 2026
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EmailSince 2003, the Michigan State University Product Center, part of MSU Extension, has assisted in business expansions resulting in total investments of over $462 million and creation of 4,067 jobs.
In 2025, the MSU Product Center:
- Aided 567 clients through 3,366 counseling hours.
- These clients were entrepreneurs who participated in one or more counseling session.
- Led to the creation of 194 jobs.
- Helped retain 208 jobs with existing businesses that would otherwise have been lost.
- Had clients launch 88 new food and beverage products.
- Secured more than $9.2 million in total capital formation, leveraging:
- $2.26M in owner investments
- $6.19M in other capital investments/grants
- $790K in loans
Food Processing and Innovation Center
In 2025, the MSU Product Center's Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC) helped 30 clients build $400K in total sales growth over 800+ hours of production.
Core Services
Venture Development
The MSU Product Center provides vital venture development services for new and emerging businesses. Innovation counselors across the state deliver one-on-one counseling to clients and assist with developing concepts and business plans, navigating the regulatory process and accessing the supply chain.
Thanks to the MSU Product Center's close relationship with MSU campus staff and faculty, clients can access specialized services such as product classification and process authority review, nutritional labeling, food science, food processing and safety expertise, and packaging assistance.
Food Processing and Innovation Center
The Food Processing and Innovation Center is the nation's leading independent commercial food development, processing, packaging, and research facility. The Center's real-time production environment supports the creation of vibrant new food products. Businesses big and small rent the state-of-the-art facility, which features the latest in processing and packaging technology to help reduce their risk and discover ways to take their operations to the next level. Products made in the Center comply with Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.
Accelerated Growth Services
Accelerated growth services work with established businesses that want to improve their market performance. The MSU Product Center helps clients meet the high-level food safety and certification required by retailers. These strategic planning services also assist companies in charting a course for business expansion.
Strategic Research Services
Strategic research services are geared toward a broad and diverse client base. Market analysis, feasibility studies and economic impact reports provide clients with the data they need to make key decisions.
Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show
The Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show is an annual event designed to assist food business entrepreneurs. The conference provides educational sessions with a focus on starting and expanding food businesses. The trade show offers a venue for entrepreneurs to showcase their products to retail buyers and the general public.
2026 Retail Award Winners
First Time at Fresh Thyme Award
- Dip Detroit LLC's Hot Honey
- Placement in all nine Michigan locations of Fresh Thyme Market
Battle Creek Horrock's & Co. Award Winners
- Bingo Roasters Chocolate Bars from Muskegon
- Dip Detroit Hot Honey and Seasoning from Detroit
- The Still Bar from Ann Arbor
- Super Duper Coffee from Detroit
- Wright's Bites pretzels from Grand Rapids
Hansen Foods in Hart, MI Award Selections
- Bingo Roasters Chocolate Bars from Muskegon
- Dip Detroit Honey and Seasoning from Detroit
- Red Truck Orchards Cherry Vinegar from Northport
- Smoke'N Butt's BBQ Sauce from Grand Rapids
MSU Dairy Store Award Selections
- Belle Lavende Lavender Products from Plymouth
- Dark Water Coffee Roasters from Hart
- Nani Girl Snacks from Grand Rapids
- Wright's Bites pretzels from Grand Rapids
Meijer Market Format Store Awards
Bridge Street and Capital City Markets
- Bingo Roasters Chocolate Bars from Muskegon
Rivertown, Woodward Corner, and Independence Markets
- Super Duper Coffee from Detroit
Westborn Market Award Selections
- Dip Detroit Hot Honey from Detroit
- Prado Foods Asparagus Nuggets from Hart
- Super Duper Coffee from Detroit
