LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development voted at its regular meeting Jan. 31 to approve a grant for a Michigan business, Precision Hardwoods, totaling $100,000.

Precision Hardwoods of Onaway, Michigan, will use the grant funding to increase its manufacturing capacity, for an expansion of business space, for new advanced machinery, and to create 15 new jobs.

The funding for this project comes through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development s (MDARD) Food and Agriculture Investment Program that provides financial support for projects that help expand food and agriculture processing to enable growth in the industry and Michigan's economy. Projects are selected based on their impact on the overall agriculture industry and food and agriculture growth and investment in the state.

"These funds invest in the future of not just Precision Hardwoods, but the future of the Onaway community through additional employment opportunities and greater demand for sustainable forest products, said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "This investment in Precision Hardwoods highlights our commitment to supporting economic advancement throughout the agricultural sector across Michigan."

Precision Hardwoods said it has been in the hardwood production business for more than 10 years, and its products include green industrial lumber and grade lumber. With this funding, they aim to enhance manufacturing capabilities almost 10-fold, from 25,000 board feet per day to 220,000 board feet per day. They will do this through obtaining advanced machinery and workforce development to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of premium, locally sourced, wood products.

"We are honored to have the MDARD team work with Precision Hardwoods to help with putting together this grant for our expansion project,"  said Mike Sturgill, owner of Precision Hardwoods. "The grant funding provided by MDARD will allow us to provide our community with 15 additional jobs and the ability to better supply Michigan and beyond with quality locally sourced lumber products!"

Precision Hardwoods has secured Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification. FSC-certified material comes from forestlands that are certified to sustainability standards that ensure the wood harvested is from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable. Their additional production will support further sustainable management of Michigan forestlands.

For more information about MDARD grants, visit www.Michigan.gov/MDARDGrants.