ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jun. 26, 2025) – A “modernization” of a century-old site where Zeeland’s third largest employer operates took a step forward on Wednesday night.
In a special meeting at the Howard Miller Community Center, the city’s planning commission gave provisional approval to a rezoning request by Reckett Zeeland for two parcels of property off of East Main Avenue. The subsidiary of Mead Johnson wants to make that land industrial instead of residential, as part of a planned $836 million renovation of its Enfamil baby formula production facility.
Despite calls for turning down the request by nearby residents over traffic, noise and odor concerns, as well as perceived property value losses, the planners sided with the company. During an earlier hearing this month, a company official warned that the denial of this rezoning request could lead to moving this operation elsewhere, with about 500 jobs being lost locally as a result. That was a threat that Mayor Kevin Klynstra, who sits on the planning commission as well, is taking seriously.
The Planning Commission will take another vote on the matter during its regularly-scheduled monthly meeting on July 10th. It can only make a recommendation to the Zeeland City Council, who is expected to make the final decision during its July 21st biweekly business meeting.
Reckett Zeeland is Zeeland’s third largest employer, behind Gentex and MillerKnoll.
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