PLUM CITY, Wisc., July 30, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden highlight $1.5 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) that will strengthen American food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, create more, new and better markets for producers, and lower food costs.
"The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are advancing a sustainable vision of agriculture that prioritizes the needs of hardworking producers, small businesses and rural communities," Under Secretary Gooden said. "We are proud to partner with multigenerational businesses like JM Watkins LLC to strengthen independent meat processing capacity, increase local food options and lower costs for families in Wisconsin and across the country."
JM Watkins is a multigeneration red meat processing facility based in Plum City. With support from USDA’s MPPEP program, they will purchase and equip a new facility that will allow them to triple their processing capacity while expanding their product offerings available for wholesale and retail sales to include bison in addition to cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats. Additionally, this funding will help JM Watkins create 16 new full-time jobs and serve an estimated 36 new producers.
Under Secretary Gooden, accompanied by USDA Rural Development State Director for Wisconsin Julie Lassa, joined Watkins owner Brandon Crane and family in a room of nearly 50 local community members to hear about the challenges and opportunities of the meat processing, producer, and food supply chain industry in the area. His visit was completed with a personalized tour of the JM Watkins facility by the Crane family.
Investments like the one highlighted today 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.
Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program
USDA is partnering with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund to provide more than $83 million in grants to 24 independent processors, in 15 states - including JM Watkins in Wisconsin, under the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). The funding, made available through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, will help build new processing plants, create hundreds of jobs, give local producers and entrepreneurs better business opportunities, and give consumers more options at the grocery store.
Details on all of the awards are available online.
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. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates in Wisconsin, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
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