ST. PAUL – State Rep. Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin, encourages Minnesota meat, egg, poultry, and milk processors seeking to start up, modernize, or expand their businesses to apply for a new grant program aimed at assisting them.
“This program supports smaller local businesses that are involved in food processing.” Lueck said. “We have the capacity to locally produce a wide variety of foods; this program supports that effort by boosting our ability to process those products locally.”
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture said it anticipates awarding up to $750,000 through its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant program, using a competitive review process. The maximum equipment award is $150,000, and the minimum award is $1,000.
The MDA indicates the intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota-raised livestock products by investing in equipment and physical improvements that support processing, capacity, market diversification, and market access for meat, poultry, eggs, and milk.
Stipulations from the MDA state applicants must:
- Be engaged with livestock slaughter or processing, including meat, poultry, egg, and milk.
- Be an individual (including farmers), business, agricultural cooperative, or a local unit of government (including Tribal governments).
- Currently reside in Minnesota or be authorized to conduct business in Minnesota.
Grantees are responsible for at least 50% of the total cost for the first $25,000 and 75% of the total cost for every dollar after as a cash match, according to the MDA. Funding for the AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant will be awarded in one round.
Grant applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Oct. 28. The MDA indicates If a grant application is not selected for an AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant, it will be considered for the AGRI Value-Added Grant that is expected to open this January.
Proposals must be submitted through the AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg and Milk Processing Grant webpage: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/agri-mpem-processing.
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