The Muskegon Farmers Market in Muskegon, Michigan, has received a $481,267 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to support major upgrades to its indoor market and Kitchen 242 facility.
The funding, approved earlier this week, will help expand food production capabilities and provide additional resources for local vendors. Improvements include enhanced kitchen equipment, accessibility upgrades, and expanded space for community programs.
State Representative Will Snyder (D‑Muskegon) praised the initiative, calling the market “a catalyst of development and change” since its construction a decade ago. He said the new investment will further strengthen Muskegon’s role as a regional hub for local food and entrepreneurship.
Mayor Ken Johnson highlighted the grant’s impact on small businesses and the local economy, noting that it will support more than 100 food‑based enterprises annually, increase seasonal foot traffic downtown, and channel federal nutrition assistance directly to local farmers.
The expansion is expected to boost Muskegon’s food ecosystem, offering new opportunities for emerging culinary entrepreneurs and reinforcing West Michigan’s commitment to sustainable local agriculture.
