NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets: Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program

Geographic Scope: New York State

Focus Areas:

• Expansion of existing USDA-inspected meat processing facilities
• Establishment of new USDA-inspected meat processing facilities
• Increase capacity of New York State sourced meat
• Support for beef, pork, lamb, goat, poultry, and seafood processing

Funding Available:

• Grant range: $50,000 to $250,000 on a reimbursement basis
• For grants under $100,000: 10% recipient match required
• For grants $100,000 to $250,000: 20% recipient match required
• Total awarded in last round: $4.25 million to 26 projects across 19 counties

Eligible Uses:

• Acquisition of machinery and/or equipment
• Installation or renovation/leasehold improvements of existing building
• Acquisition of fixtures

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a legally recognized business entity organization in New York State in good standing
• Must be involved in the processing of meat products
• Must have current USDA inspection or be seeking inspection
• Must have a detailed project plan or proposal that outlines expansion/retention or establishment of USDA inspected meat processing facility in NYS
• Must demonstrate how proposed project will increase capacity of New York State sourced meat

Administrator: Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC)

Program Background:
The program was sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey to increase capacity of New York's processing facilities. The 26 awarded projects expanded processing capacity by over 4.8 million pounds annually, with over 3.6 million pounds from New York farms. Total project costs: approximately $9.5 million statewide.

Contact Information:

• Duane Stanton, HVADC: dstanton@hvadc.org
• Phone: 518.432.5360
• Fax: 888.317.5556
• Address: 507 Warren St., 2nd Floor, Hudson, NY 12534

Note: Alternative funding available through USDA Rural Development's Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.

Application Process

Status: Applications Closed as of June 21, 2023

Required Materials:

• Detailed project plan
• Project proposal outlining expansion/retention or establishment of USDA meat processing facility in NYS
• Detailed budget
• Project timeline
• Three years of complete federal tax returns
• Application form
• Budget sheet (separate forms for under $100k and over $100k)
• Application checklist

Submission Instructions:

1. Read all program documents carefully before submitting
2. Submit all attachments separately through secure portal
3. Hard copy submissions may be mailed to: Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation 507 Warren St, 2nd Fl Hudson, NY 12534 Attn: MPEG

Application Support:

• Contact Duane Stanton at dstanton@hvadc.org for assistance with grant applications and questions
• HVADC provides guidance on crafting applications