Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program

What does this program do?

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their processing capacity, which creates new, better, and more processing options for fishers. 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 by increasing processing capacity and volume, elevating incomes for both fishers and processors, and providing fair wages and new, stable, and safe job opportunities at processing facilities to keep profits circulating in rural communities. 

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 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 $1 million, or 50 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. The minimum award amount is $250,000. A cost share of 50 percent of the total project is required. Applicants will b required to identify sources and amounts that will make up the 50 percent cost share in the application.

What are some other requirements?

Eligible applicants must:

• Currently process seafood or Wild-Caught catfish for commercial markets and have been in business for more than one year,
• Operate or plan to operate under a grant of inspection from USDA to process invasive, Wild-Caught catfish subject to the FMIA,
• Plan to increase Processing capacity for invasive, Wild-Caught catfish, at their existing Facility and
• Have a State Aquatic Nuisance Species or Invasive Species management plan that includes catfish.

How do I apply?

Please click on the To Apply tab above.