The port industry is booming in the tri-state area. Cooper Farms has two large hog operations in Defiance County, and is looking to expand in other areas of northwest Ohio. 3 to 4 years ago, Cooper Farms opened a sow breeding operation in the area of Mark Center. That was followed by a wean-to-finish hog operation about 15 months ago in Mark Center. The hogs from these farms are transported to the big pork processing plant in Coldwater, Michigan that opened earlier this fall. The two Defiance County locations have about 50 employees combined.
Now Cooper’s are looking into establishing a large hog operation near Edgerton, and another in Henry County. A January meeting is being set-up in Williams County to look at options and interest.