Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program – Phase 3

What does this program do? 

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their operational capacity. USDA Rural Development established this program to strengthen competition, support sustainable growth within the U.S. meat processing sector, and enhance supply chain resiliency. Earlier phases of MPPEP provided funding for both new facilities and the renovation or expansion of existing operations.

MPPEP Phase 3, Round 2 offers competitive grant funding specifically for the construction of new facilities; the purchase of inoperable facilities, including associated real estate; renovations or retrofits to existing facilities; and the acquisition or upgrading of equipment designed to increase processing capacity for invasive, wild-caught catfish and overall facility throughput. This initiative aims to improve operational efficiency, expand processing capacity, and assist in reducing invasive species that harm marine ecosystems and negatively impact the fishing industry.

Who can apply for this program?

• For-profit and nonprofit entities
• Producer owned cooperatives and corporations
• Certified benefit corporations
• Tribes and Tribal Entities
• State or local government entities

Private entities must be independently owned and operated, and all entities must be domestically owned.

What are some other requirements?

Eligible applicants must:

• Currently process seafood or Wild-Caught catfish for commercial markets and have been in business for more than one year,
• Operate or plan to operate under a grant of inspection from USDA to process invasive, Wild-Caught catfish subject to the FMIA,
• Plan to increase Processing capacity for invasive, Wild-Caught catfish, at their existing Facility and
• Have a State Aquatic Nuisance Species or Invasive Species management plan that includes catfish.

What is the maximum grant amount?

The maximum award is the lesser of (i) $2 million or (ii) 80 percent of total project costs. The minimum award is $50,000. A cost share of at least 20 percent of the total project cost is required. Applicants will be required to identify in their applications the funding sources and amounts that will fund the total project cost.

Allowable uses of funds?

• Construction of a new Facility or purchase of an inoperable Facility, including the purchase of real estate for the Facility
• Construction or renovation of mobile slaughter and processing units
• Modernizing, renovating, or expanding an existing Facility (including expansion and modifications to existing buildings and/or construction of new buildings at existing Facilities, and construction of wastewater management structures)
• Purchasing or upgrading Processing and manufacturing equipment (including cutting, skinning, de-scaling, and de-boning equipment, mixers, grinders, pipes, motors, pumps, and valves)
• Developing, customizing, and installing equipment, devices, and technology that automates Processing functions to improve worker conditions and safety
• Upgrading equipment to ensure food safety
• Developing, customizing, and installing equipment that reduces emissions, increases efficient water use, and improves air and/or water quality to help lower operating costs at the Facility
• Purchasing or upgrading composting equipment
• Purchasing or upgrading packaging and labeling equipment
• Making internal or minimal external improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing Facility needed to install the equipment
• Ensuring compliance with occupational and other safety requirements under applicable law; including revising existing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans to include invasive Wild-Caught Catfish
• Paying staffing or operational costs, including training specifically tied to implementing the proposed project 

How do I apply?

Please click on the To Apply tab above.