A Canadian company plans to grow about 8 million tree seedlings a year in Livingston County.

PRT Growing Services Ltd. has signed a 20-year lease with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. The lease is for about 14 acres at the Brighton State Recreation Area. Plans this year call for the construction of a large commercial tree nursery with 22 greenhouses, outdoor raised beds, and production and office space.

Nicole Toman is a regulatory unit manager for the state's Parks and Recreation Division. She says the company will pay the state $1.4 million in rent over 20 years. She says the facility will create 50 seasonal jobs and a few year-round positions. PRT sells its tree seedlings to park agencies, counties, the lumber industry and other private sector businesses.

The contract was one of the highlights provided to the Livingston County Board of Commissioners at their meeting earlier this week by the Economic Development Council of Livingston County, which updated the board on its most recent quarterly report of economic activity and successes in the county. The total investment from PRT Growing Services is pegged between $4 and $5 (m) million. (JK)