The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has selected 76 meat processing facilities to receive grants from the Independent Processor Assistance Program to support the growth of meat processing in Nebraska. In total, more than $5.19 million will be awarded from a portion of Nebraska’s share of American Rescue Plan Act federal funds to support projects designed to improve and/or expand Nebraska’s meat processing capabilities.
Of the 76 meat processing facilities to receive IPAP grants, 26 are receiving these grant funds for the first time. NDA awarded approximately $4.75 million in grants in the first round of IPAP funding in September 2022. The 50 remaining awardees received funding in the first round and are receiving additional funding now.
The meat processors who received the grant money had to meet certain criteria, including: being an existing meat processor facilitating improvements, enhancements or expansions to increase harvest capacity and/or product throughput; operating as either a USDAFSIS facility or a federally regulated custom-exempt slaughter and processing facility; being domiciled in the state of Nebraska and registered in good standing with the secretary of state to conduct business in Nebraska; existing sales revenue of less than $2.5 million; and employing fewer than 25 people.
