November 4, 2022
USDA INVESTS IN PROCESSING CAPACITY: Earlier this week, USDA announced more than $233 million in grants and loans for meat and poultry processors across the U.S. USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield announced more than $16 million in grant awards to expand meat and poultry processing capacity in Iowa.
? Upper Iowa Beef LLC in Lime Springs was chosen to receive an $8 million grant through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). According to Upper Iowa Beef, this funding will be utilized to upgrade refrigeration, hot water, waste water, harvest area, packaging, and a new grind and case ready packaging area. An additional $35 million will be invested by Upper Iowa Beef over the next four years to complete the expansion project, which will ultimately benefit local cattle producers.
? Cherokee Locker Investment Inc. in Cherokee was awarded a $542,425 grant through the MPPEP. The overall project is an expansion and relocation of an existing beef and pork locker facility, which includes plans to increase slaughter capacity from 10 to 50 head per week. The new facility will allow for federal inspections.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association recognizes the need for additional beef processing in Iowa and thanks awardees for their efforts to provide more opportunity to local cattlemen. Congratulations!
If you know of a local locker that would benefit from financial assistance to grow, check out the Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Program. This program, supported by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association in the 2021 Iowa Legislative Session, awards grants of up to $100,000 to expand, refurbish, or establish new state or federally inspected small-scale meat processing businesses, custom lockers, and mobile slaughter units. The Iowa Economic Development Authority is currently accepting applications through Dec. 21, 2022.
