Projects will Develop New Products & Expand Business Lines
STEVENS POINT, Wis., Sept. 30, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Frank Frassetto announced that the department is investing $2.7 million in rural Wisconsin to help 14 agricultural producers and small businesses develop new products and expand their business lines.
“Small businesses and family farms are the foundation of our Wisconsin economy and an essential component of our communities. We are pleased to provide funding to assist them in growing, creating jobs and taping into new markets,” Frassetto said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Wisconsin in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Today’s funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. VAPG grants may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to producing or marketing a value-added product including feasibility studies, business plans, processing of the value-added product, logo and website development and marketing and distribution. Independent agricultural producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives and producer-controlled entities are eligible to apply. Each fiscal year, grants are awarded through a national competition and applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.
Successful recipients in Northwestern Wisconsin include:
- Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, a 300+ dairy farm cooperative in Ellsworth, will receive a $250,000 grant for working capital to help with marketing and processing of over 60 varieties of Halal certified cheese. Halal certification will allow the company to attract consumers in the United States, Asia and throughout the Middle East.
- Cracked Barrel Winery LLC, a veteran owned vineyard in Hudson, will receive a $168,000 grant for working capital to facilitate growth of their customer base and incremental sales of direct-to-consumer wine made at their facility.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wi, call us at 715-345-7600 or email wi-rd-stateoffice@usda.gov.
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