The Daily Dig
Chobani is moving forward with a multi-phase, $567 million expansion of the La Colombe ready-to-drink coffee plant in Norton Shores, Michigan. The project adds over 200,000 square feet of production space and is expected to create 337 new jobs while retaining another 312.
The Norton Shores facility has produced La Colombe lattes for more than a decade. La Colombe launched its ready-to-drink line in 2016, building steady consumer demand and growing into a daily staple in the category. That demand is now pushing Chobani to scale up output significantly at the Michigan plant.
The production ramp-up is substantial. Milk procurement from local Michigan dairy farmers is projected to rise from roughly 30 million pounds annually to approximately 615 million pounds over the next few years. The plant uses locally sourced Michigan milk, and this expansion deepens that supply relationship considerably.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer backed the project publicly, calling it evidence that Michigan is the right place to grow an agricultural economy. Beyond the physical buildout, Chobani has tied the expansion to broader community commitments including workforce development programs, school partnerships, and grants supporting food access organizations across the region.
Project Snapshot:
Project: La Colombe Plant Multi-Phase Expansion
Owner/Operator: Chobani (La Colombe)
Location: Norton Shores, Michigan
Region: West Michigan
Sector: Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Scope: Multi-phase facility expansion; 200,000+ sq ft of new production space
Project Value: $567 million
New Jobs Created: 337
Jobs Retained: 312
Milk Procurement (Current): 30 million lbs/year
Milk Procurement (Projected): 615 million lbs/year
Status: Announced March 24, 2026
Community Programs: Workforce development, school partnerships, food access grants
TheJobWalk Thoughts
A 200,000 plus square foot multi-phase food manufacturing expansion at $567 million is a serious procurement and scheduling undertaking. GCs and construction managers pursuing this work should be positioning now. Phased projects like this move from design to bid faster than most owners signal publicly.
The milk procurement jump from 30 million to 615 million pounds annually tells you exactly how much process equipment, refrigeration infrastructure, and utility capacity this project requires. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing subs with food-grade manufacturing experience should be paying close attention. That scope is highly specialized, and qualified trade contractors in that niche are not abundant.
