Minnesota meat, egg, poultry and milk processors seeking to start up, modernize or expand their businesses are encouraged to apply for a new grant program aimed at assisting them.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture anticipates awarding up to $750,000 through its Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Meat, Poultry, Egg and Milk Processing Grant program, using a competitive review process. The maximum equipment award is $150,000; the minimum, $1,000.

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 expansion, market diversification and market access for meat, poultry, eggs and milk.

“We’ve seen how much meat processing demand and capacity can change in a short time,” Minnesota agriculture commissioner Thom Petersen says. “This new grant can help processors become more agile and resistant to disruptions in the processing supply chains.”

Applicants must:

• be engaged with livestock slaughter or processing, including meat, poultry, eggs 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. 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.

If a grant application is not selected during the AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg and Milk Processing Grant, it will be considered for the AGRI Value-Added Grant that is expected to open in January.

Proposals must be submitted through MDA’s online application system.

For more information, visit the AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant webpage.

Source: The 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.