Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program in New York

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) as administrator for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) to invite qualified meat processing businesses to submit proposals for funding consideration from the Meat Processing Expansion Grant (MPEG) program.

Donor Name: Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation

State: New York

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 06/21/2023

Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $250,000

Details:

The purpose of this RFP is to support the expansion/retention of existing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected facilities, and the establishment of new USDA meat processing facilities in the state to increase the capacity of New York sourced meat. This program will address the nationwide shortage of affordable meat available to consumers, including the availability of protein sources for schools and institutional facilities in the state.

To address the shortage of meat processing facilities, AGM developed the $5 million Meat Processing Expansion Grants program that can be used to expand existing facilities or open new facilities. This will make it easier for beef, pork, lamb, goats, poultry, and seafood farmers to process their products and get affordable, local meat into a variety of consumer and institutional markets, strengthening New York’s food supply chain and rural economies.

Funding Information

The MPEG Program is available for capital projects that can range from $50,000 to $250,000 on a reimbursement basis. For grants of less than $100,000, a 10% recipient match is required. For grants of $100,000 to $250,000, a 20% recipient match is required. The funding is being provided through the NYS Budget and was sponsored by New York Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey and Assembly Agriculture Chair Donna Lupardo.

Grant funds may be used for acquisition of machinery and/or equipment, installation or renovation/leasehold improvements of an existing building, or the acquisition of fixtures.

Eligibility Criteria

Mandatory Requirements:

• Be an established, legally recognized business entity organization in New York State in good standing.
• Be involved in the processing of meat products.
• Have a current USDA Inspection or a comprehensive plan to obtain USDA Inspection.
• Have a detailed project plan and proposal that outlines the expansion/retention or establishment of a USDA inspected meat processing facility in New York.
• Demonstrate how the proposed project will increase the capacity of New York State sourced certified meat. Examples include but are not limited to increased slaughter or processing capacity by a certain number of dollars, varieties of meat or poultry processed, volume (in pounds or head), percentage change, or a combination of volume and average price as a result of efficiency and capacity improvements.

Expectations:

• Grant funds to be used for: Acquisition of machinery and/or equipment, installation, renovation/leasehold improvements of existing facilities or the acquisition of fixtures.
• Grantees will submit quarterly reports on progress of projects and a final report due 90 days after project completion.
• Provide evidence of General Liability insurance naming HVADC as an additional insured in the amount of $1M/occurrence and $2M/aggregate.
• Document the source of match funds. Other State funding cannot be used as match.
• Required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with HVADC.
• Host site visits as needed.

For more information, visit Meat Processing Expansion Grant.