What we know

Reckitt’s Zeeland facility manufactures infant formula. The facility was previously Mead Johnson until Reckitt acquired the company in 2017.  In 2024, the Zeeland location had approximately 500 employees and a 472,000 square foot facility. 

In July, Zeeland City Officials learned that Reckitt/Mead Johnson (RMJ) was considering a significant investment to add an additional infant formula line. At the time, RMJ was considering investments at their locations in Zeeland, Evansville, IN, and/or Minnesota. RMJ is working with Lakeshore Advantage, an economic development agency, to facilitate this potential development.

To invest in Zeeland, RMJ needed more land and considered acquiring Rieth Riley Asphalt, acreage on E Riley St., and/or the bus garage and adjacent fields on E Main Avenue owned by Zeeland Public Schools (ZPS). City Officials also identified potential parcels of interest for Reckitt, including Bennett Wood Specialties, Kebco Inc., and Highpoint Finishing.  

Lakeshore Advantage pursued a potential purchase of bus garage and adjacent fields on E Main Avenue.  An email from Lakeshore Advantage indicated that ZPS required suitable location alternatives, including 1-2 acres of green space within walking distance of Cityside Middle School and 8-10 acres to build a bus garage, before they would consider selling. In February 2025, Assistant Superintendent Jon Voss verbally confirmed that ZPS was no longer considering selling their property to RMJ. 

RMJ is also acquiring and attempting to acquire properties to the west of their Zeeland facility, including residentially zoned properties. On December 30, 2024, Reckitt/Mead Johnson purchased the Meyer Residence located at 633 E Main Street (the red barn) for $1.5 million. They also purchased Bennett Wood Specialties, Inc. at 109 Carlton Street for $3.7 million. 

Of even greater concern, RMJ contacted all property owners on the north side of E Main Ave between Carlton Street and Fairview Avenue regarding their interest in selling. This includes Bethel Christian Reformed Church and the Cityside Townhouses. 

On March 19th, officials from RMJ met with a few neighbors to discuss their proposed development. RMJ advised they had not made a final decision on where to invest but were beginning their master planning that week and were looking to begin construction by the end of the year. 

RMJ advised that their expansion was an investment in updating their aging assets and was not about expanding production size or volume. RMJ claims they need to build new, replacement facilities while their existing facilities continue production, which is why they need to acquire additional land. They also reportedly need onsite office space. 

RMJ was unable to share at that time the status of their property acquisitions or negotiations, what the new facility would look like if Zeeland is selected, and what type of rezoning requests they might advance if they acquire their desired properties. They are reportedly planning to route factory traffic away from E Main Avenue, set back facilities away from the road and incorporate some green spaces in their design. RMJ officials also acknowledged the odor that is emitted by their existing facilities. They will reportedly try to work on reducing the odor, but were unable to offer any guarantees and only noted it might get better in several years. 

Overall, nothing from the March 19 meeting changed the neighbors' perspective regarding RMJ's proposed development or the Neighborhood First goals. 

The lack of specific details at this time leaves us with only a vague idea of RMJ's plans and the potential impact on the neighborhood and residents directly, and indirectly, impacted. 

On May 16, 2025, RMJ submitted their application to rezone residential properties at 605 and 633 E Main Avenue from residential to I-2 General Industrial property. 

On June 5, 2025, RMJ presented draft site plans for their facilities modernization plan to the City's Planning Commission. This was the first formal presentation of their plans to the Commission and public.  

The plans can be viewed HERE.

On June 12 the Planning Commission held a public hearing  on RMJ's rezoning application. 

A vote was tabled due to the turnout of public comment. A separate Planning Commission meeting was held on June 25th in which the Commission voted to preliminarily approve the rezoning of 605 and 633 E Main Avenue to industrial properties. 

The Planning Commission will meet again on July 10th to formally decide on the rezoning application. From there it will be transmitted to City Council for final decision. That is expected to occur at the Council's July 21st meeting.