Bangor, Maine, Aug. 24, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson today announced that USDA is making more funding available for meat and poultry processors. This new phase of the USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to expand operations, transform the food supply chain, and create new and better markets for producers.
This funding advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s President Biden’s commitment to grow the economy from the bottom up. It will create new markets for small and mid-sized farming and ranching operations while protecting opportunity in rural communities for generations to come.
“As we look to farmers to be leaders in land preservation and climate forward practices, we must support their efforts by improving the systems they use to access markets,” Rhiannon Hampson said. “This investment by the Biden-Harris Administration is part of the hard work being done to create resiliency in our domestic food supply chain. Right here in Maine, small and mid-sized farmers will benefit from this opportunity.”
USDA is partnering with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund to make available $123 million in grants nationwide. The program is part of a series of actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to promote a fairer, more competitive, and more resilient meat and poultry supply chain.
Grant recipients may use the funds to modernize their facilities, adopt new technologies, and train workers, among other activities. Eligible projects may receive grants from $250,000 up to $10 million. Successful applicants must be able to cover 70% of their total project cost.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 22, 2023. Details on eligibility and requirements are available on Grants.gov. Specific questions may be directed to MPPEP@usda.gov.
Background: Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program
The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program provides grants to help eligible independent processors to expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the program to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector and to help improve supply chain resiliency.
USDA already has awarded more than $200 million to independent businesses under the program. These projects have created thousands of jobs across the country. Learn more about USDA’s investments to strengthen the meat and poultry supply chain at usda.gov/meat.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans, loan guarantees and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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Appendix: Meat Processing in Maine
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