DEXTER PLANS TO UPGRADE WATER SYSTEM FOR PLANT

DEXTER -- The Dexter City Council has taken steps toward paying for part of a $2.5 million upgrade to the city's water system to meet demands of expansion at Hudson Foods. The council this week voted to apply for federal and state grants totaling almost $1.5 million to go toward the city's cost to expand the system.

The improvements are needed since Hudson Foods uses about 25 percent of the city's water. The poultry processing firm plans an $8.6 million improvement to its processing plant, hatchery and feed mill in Dexter, and the addition of 175 jobs. A total of 21,000 square feet will be added to the local processing plant, along with an additional 12,000 square feet at the hatchery.

As much as $1 million could be available from the federal government and $500,000 from the state, said officials.