Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program

MPPEP Phase 2 Comparison Chart 

What does this program do?

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their processing capacity, which create new, better and more processing options for meat and poultry producers. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency.

Who can apply for this program?

Entities that engage or plan to engage in meat and poultry processing, including private, non-profit, tribal, cooperative, state or local government, among other entities.  Private entities must be independently owned and operated. All entities must be domestically owned, and their meat and poultry processing facilities must be physically located and operated within the U.S. or its territories.

How can funds be used?

Grant funds can be used for expenses during the period of performance of the grant award to expand processing capacity by supporting activities such as:

• Building, modernizing, or expanding existing – processing facilities, including mobile slaughter units

• Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology 

• Ensuring compliance with packaging and labeling requirements 

• Upholding occupational and other safety requirements 

• Modifying facilities or equipment to protect food safety

• Offsetting cost associated with becoming an inspected facility

• Staffing or operational costs specifically tied to the proposed project
• Supporting workforce recruitment, training, and retention
• Posting USDA’s standard infrastructure investment signage during construction of the project 

What is the maximum grant amount?

The maximum award amount is $10 million, or 30 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. The minimum award amount is $250,000. Projects including construction (and equipment associated with the project) are eligible for grants from $250,000 to $10 million.  Projects that only require equipment purchases are eligible for grants from $5 million to $10 million.

What are some other requirements?

Eligible applicants must:

• Process – or plan to process – one or more species subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, or the Poultry Product Inspection Act.  Additionally, if the applicant engages or proposes to engage in further processing they must include the products of slaughter from their own facility.
• Have – or plan to get – a Federal Grant of Inspection through USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, a Grant of Inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a federal or state-based meat and poultry inspection program equivalent.
• Comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and all other applicable state, local or Tribal laws.

How do I apply?

Please click on the To Apply tab above.