New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball and the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) recently announced a grant opportunity totaling $5 million for projects to expand existing or establish new meat processing facilities. The Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program aims to address the nationwide shortage of affordable meat available to consumers, increase capacity of New York’s processing facilities, and support agribusinesses.
Following the food supply chain challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic, many food industries saw an increased demand for locally sourced products, especially in meat processing. To address the shortage of meat processing facilities, Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature supported legislation creating the $5 million Meat Processing Expansion Grants program to expand existing facilities or open new facilities. The grant program is funded by the Department and administered by HVADC. The program is designed to make it easier for beef, pork, lamb, goats, poultry, and seafood farmers to process their products and get affordable, local meat into a variety of consumer and institutional markets, strengthening New York’s food supply chain and rural economies.
The grant program, which is New York’s first-ever statewide grant program for meat processing, is available for capital projects that can range from $50,000 to $250,000 on a reimbursement basis. For grants of less than $100,000, a 10% recipient match is required. For grants of $100,000 to $250,000, a 20% recipient match is required. Grant funds may be used for the acquisition and installation of machinery, equipment and fixtures, or leasehold improvements. Applications are being accepted until June 21, 2023.
Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis. Funds will be available until state funds have been exhausted.
To be eligible for the grant program, applicants must be involved in the processing of meat products and be a legally recognized business entity organization in New York State in good standing. Those with current USDA inspection status or seeking to become a USDA-inspected processor may apply. Applicants must submit a business plan and project proposal that outlines the expansion, retention or establishment of a USDA inspected meat processing facility in New York State, including a detailed budget and timeline for the project. They must also demonstrate how their proposed project will increase the capacity of New York State sourced meat.
To learn more about the Meat Processing Expansion Grant program, or to apply, visit https://www.hvadc.org/nys-meat-processing-grant.
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