Two Local Meat Processing Companies Awarded Grants Through Department of Agriculture

This funding was allocated to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – The Indiana State Department of Agriculture awarded more than $4 million to 41 area meat processing businesses through the Indiana Meat Processing Expansion & Development Grant Program yesterday.

This funding was allocated to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on local and small meat processing agribusinesses in Indiana.

“Processing plants in our state are essential and this funding will help with a variety of necessities to strengthen this sector of our food supply chain,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “These grants will address issues caused by COVID-19 and help meet consumer demands in both normal and emergency situations.”

Those awarded the funds can use them in a variety of ways as long as it aims to improve food supply resilience through promoting worker safety, expanding meat processing capacity, and/or increasing slaughter.

Many businesses are using the grants to purchase equipment or modify their facilities for increased efficiency. Some are using the funding to train additional staff and purchase personal protective equipment. The 41 awarded meat processors are Hoosier businesses with less than 500 employees.

Locally, Brewer Livestock in North Vernon was awarded $58,500, and Pate’s Processing in Hanover was awarded $97,700.