Impacts in Bremer County and surrounding areas
DES MOINES, Iowa, July 11, 2024 –U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield today announced that USDA is investing $855,762 in a project in Iowa to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, create more, new and better markets for producers, and lower food costs.
“The expansion of Leonard’s Locker will increase processing capacity for local producers, lower consumer costs for food and strengthen our local food supply chain,” said Director Greenfield. “Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Vilsack, USDA is making once-in-a-generation investments in rural Iowa to help grow and strengthen rural communities by lowering costs and promoting job growth.”
Leonard's Locker LLC, a family-owned business in Frederika in rural Bremer County, received a $855,762 grant from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). The meat locker processes beef and hogs for local agricultural producers and processes some wild game. This project funding will help the locker purchase land and construct and equip a new state-of-the-art processing facility. This project will enable the business to increase capacity by 50 percent and to develop new value-added products. With these improvements, the locker may apply for inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program which will help open up access to new wholesale markets. Once the project is completed, the locker anticipates serving an additional 60 producers and creating four new full-time jobs.
The grant is part of a larger nation-wide announcement made today totaling $110 million in support for projects in rural America. A full list of projects is available online.
Background
The investments are part of USDA’s efforts to create a more competitive agricultural system, advance President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, and support the Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which dedicates resources to expand independent processing capacity. Together these actions help to lower food costs by spurring competition and strengthening supply chains.
USDA’s Rural Development has provided 59 awards totaling over $291.4 million through MPPEP to expand processing capacity and strengthen the food supply chain. MPPEP is funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
Contact USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans 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.
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