Nestled in the vibrant heart of south-central Louisiana, Guidry's Catfish Inc., a family-owned and operated business, is infamously known to locals for having some of the best U.S. farm-raised catfish in the region. With a commitment to quality, community, and sustainability, Processors LLC, doing business as Guidry's Catfish hasn’t changed its mission since their inception in 1975. Expanding from a 20x20 building to a state-of-the-art 100,000 sq.ft. production facility, Guidry's expansive enterprise employs over 400 people to operate retail products, food, labeling, and packaging service for 1.2 million pounds of Catfish per week.

With 50 years in the business and their eyes set on 50+ more, Guidry's Catfish's new 55,000 sq.ft. building expansion and desire to improve their current products led them to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and our Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). Through the program, businesses can apply for grants to expand their capacity to create new and better options for meat and poultry processing.  

Co-owner Cherrie Guidry first learned about Rural Development's MPPEP grant from her father, who received a letter from The Catfish Institute explaining the program. Cherrie and her team contacted Rural Development, completed the application process, and Guidry's Catfish received a $7 million Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion grant to develop, install, or modernize equipment and technology.

Rural Development Louisiana Business-Cooperative Programs Director Whey McGrew and Loan Specialist Kevin Lemke worked closely with Cherrie during the grant application process.  "Working with Ms. Guidry throughout this process was rewarding, fun, and educational.  I was able to tour the facility, see the new equipment, and learn first-hand about her business and how it impacts rural economic development," said Kevin. 

"We used the grant funds to purchase vital processing equipment for our new par-fry processing plant. It has given us a huge advantage and we are so grateful to have received the amazing grant opportunity." Said Cherrie. "We were also able to create 100 jobs and, added three new production lines. We see ourselves growing tremendously in the next 10-20 years and with the grant we’ve expanded production capacity by 30%, We hope to one day become a billion-dollar company."

Guidry's Catfish prides itself on delivering premium catfish retail or food service products to its customers. Rural Development Louisiana Business Programs continues to seek partnerships with local businesses like Guidry's Catfish to provide the financial backing they need to grow and succeed. In turn, the community surrounding these businesses experience economic prosperity and an improved quality of life. When Rural America thrives, all of America thrives.  For more information about Rural Development Business meat and poultry programs, visit our website.