The Rural Food Processors Grant will assist rural entrepreneurs in strategically growing their business. Iowa has seen significant growth in the small food processor industry; the goal of this program is to provide critical information, services, and resources to existing small businesses that are on the verge of growth.
Donor Name: Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)
State: Iowa
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/25/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Iowa has a strong focus on rural agriculture, including value-added ag products.
Funding Information
Applicants may request up to $5,000 for eligible onetime project expenses that are incurred and expended within the eligible funding period.
Grant Period
December 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026.
Eligible Uses of funds
Grant funds may be used for equipment or technology upgrades. Other eligible uses of funds include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Equipment, packaging, labeling and related processes to aid in getting food products to new markets.
- Contract fees for food safety experts, Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) consultations, and other related services to help meet industry regulations, labeling requirements, or other challenges related to getting products to market.
Eligibility Criteria
An eligible applicant is a small food processor or valueadded agriculture company incorporated in the state of Iowa or authorized to do business and operating in the state of Iowa. The applicant will be responsible for submitting material during the funding application process and will be the entity legally obligated to the terms of an agreement if awarded funding. Partners and collaborating entities are not subject to the eligibility requirements but may be subject to financial and programmatic review during the selection process.
- Projects/programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous (sharing a common border) to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater or be in an Iowa county that is one of the 88 least populous counties in the state.
- Any eligible applicant will be allowed to submit one application per funding announcement. An applicant who has applied as the principal entity for an application may also be named as a partner on additional applications but may not be named as a primary entity.
- Eligible applicants must have been in business for a minimum of one (1) year, have annual sales of less than $1 million, and employ 1-50 individuals.
For more information, visit IEDA.
