MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - "We see an opportunity to provide a new product for the people in the area and expand what we're doing" explained The Shrimp Farm Market owner Russ Allen.

Entrepreneurs like Russ Allen of The Shrimp Farm Market played a role in Meridian Township being identified as one of eight top performing communities in Michigan.

Because of the townships entrepreneurial growth and economic development … they were awarded the e-cities award from U of M Dearborn and were also recognized as a four star community.

"Other communities will look what we're doing and try to incorporate some of the things we do and other communities do to improve their own" said Peter Menser, Associate Planner in the township.

Opening his doors almost 7 years ago The Shrimp farm market was Michigan's first taste in shrimp farming with raising up to 400 pounds of shrimp each month.

With the experience of having his own market and also selling at the farmers market, Allen learned who his customer base was and soon found out they wanted more.

"Expand what we are doing from just shrimp to include all kinds of different seafood, and our focus in this market is promoting the use of US farm raised seafood products" said Allen.

The Shrimp Farm market is currently ran out of a building on Meridian Road, but will soon be closed to the public and will remain open as a growing facility. The market will be moved to this store front at the corner of Grand River and Dobie Road. The name will be changed to Farm Fresh Seafood.

Farm Fresh Seafood will not only have Allens shrimp but also farm fresh seafood shipped in from all over the country. The store will be complete with a commercial kitchen to prepare items that have been developed at the shrimp farm market.

"Our shrimp burgers and shrimp ceviche and shrimp salad and all these kinds of things. So we will have that for sale at the market" explained Allen.

Farm Fresh Seafood is expected to be complete before Christmas.