Minnesota Department of Agriculture officials have opened a second round of grants for increasing capacity at livestock processing plants — and for producers to increase capacity for slaughter, processing and storage.

The funding is being made available in the wake of supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19.

“Many processors made investments to increase their capacity in order to respond to the industrywide slowdowns during the COVID-19 outbreak, and we want to help them recover some of those costs,” says Thom Petersen, Minnesota agriculture commissioner. “Others may still be considering adding capacity, and we want to encourage them to do so.”

The Rapid Response Mini-Grant for Livestock Processing will offer from $1,000 to $5,000 to applicants to offset the cost of expenses such as adding coolers, refrigeration units, and slaughter and processing equipment.

Eligible applicants include processors of meat, poultry, eggs and milk located in Minnesota, and Minnesota livestock producers who need storage capacity for processed products until existing markets return or new markets are developed.

Businesses that did not receive funding in the last round or did not receive the full $5,000 amount can apply.

Grant funds can be used to cover expenses incurred between March 2, 2020, and Nov. 30, 2020, and require a 1-to-1 match. Applicants must be in business at the time they apply.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture awarded $208,213 to 46 Minnesota livestock processing plants and producers in its previous round of funding.

Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Nov. 30, or until all funds are depleted, on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be submitted through MDA’s online application system.

For more information, visit the Rapid Response Mini-Grant For Livestock Processing webpage, or email Courtney VanderMey at [email protected].

Funding for this program is made available through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. It is part of a $7.7 million plan announced earlier this month by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to support agricultural producers, meat processors and farmers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.