Six Upper Peninsula businesses will split $584,753 in state grants aimed at expanding local food production, agriculture processing and forestry operations, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba.

The grants cover projects spanning the peninsula, according to MyUPNow, which first reported the details.

Two Marquette businesses are among the recipients. Peace Pie Company, the Division Street pie shop at 1501 Division St., will receive $84,753 for bakehouse improvements that will boost production capacity, expand its product line and increase its use of Michigan-made ingredients. Superior Culture LLC, the kombucha and fermented-beverage taproom at 717 3rd St., will get $100,000 to build an addition that consolidates all production at one site while expanding food and beverage service.

BigGoat Farm in Houghton will use $100,000 to establish the Keweenaw Peninsula's first licensed Grade "A" goat dairy. The women-owned farm on Lahti Road plans to operate as both a production hub and a visitor destination.

First Catch LLC in L'Anse will put $100,000 toward a self-contained refrigerated fish processing facility on tribal land, supporting year-round commercial fishing and direct retail sales. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Baraga received $100,000 to acquire refrigerated transportation and improve food distribution across the U.P. S&L Lumber Co LLC in Iron River will use $100,000 to modernize its sawmill's primary breakdown line, the equipment that turns raw logs into boards.

The six U.P. awards are part of a nearly $1.8 million statewide package covering 20 projects, with 14 benefiting northern Michigan, according to MDARD Director Tim Boring. That's real money for small operations.

"Today's grants support businesses whose growth will create economic opportunities throughout our state, increasing demand for local farm and forest products and giving families more access to nutritious, Michigan-grown foods," Boring said at the fair.

Since fiscal year 2019, MDARD has invested more than $20.8 million in food, agriculture, forestry and conservation projects throughout the Upper Peninsula, according to TV6/WLUC.

No timeline for grant disbursement or project completion was included in the state's announcement. According to its online profile, BigGoat Farm aims to be fully operational by 2027.