Increasing Meat Production and Capacity Grant Program, Phase 4
Proposals due by September 1, 2022
The deadline to submit grant applications has passed.
Grant proposals were due by close of business on September 1, 2022.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has closed the application period for the fourth phase of its Increasing Meat Production, Efficiency and Capacity (IMPEC) grant program, which is geared to independent state meat and seafood processing facilities. The food animal industry represents about 70 percent of North Carolina’s agricultural economy. This program will support that industry by increasing efficiency and capacity of local small-scale meat processing facilities that will benefit the livestock producers, processors and consumers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of wholesome North Carolina meat products.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is proud of the strides North Carolina has taken to promote food production through the “Got to be NC” program. We have seen that consumers are eager to buy local and support North Carolina farms. The Got to be NC program will help connect recipients of this grant with consumers across the country.
“The COVID pandemic showed us vulnerabilities in the food supply chain and the need for local products to meet consumer demand,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We are already seeing benefits to agribusinesses, farmers and consumers from phase one, two and three of this program, and we want to build on that momentum. Up to $15 million in grants will be available in this fourth phase.”
Funding for this cost-share program was approved by the N.C. General Assembly and comes from federal American Rescue Plan Act money earmarked for North Carolina.
In addition to increasing production, efficiency and/or capacity, projects can also include value-added processing. Project categories can include equipment and infrastructure, contractual/consultation, labor; training and retention, and other identified needs.
To be eligible for grant funding, applicants must contract with independent livestock producers or seafood harvesters to process animals or seafood and must be state or federally inspected, or it must produce further processed meat products under state or federal inspection or be a USDA inspected processor of shelf-stable meat or meat products. Proposals can be for beef, pork, small ruminant, seafood and catfish processing facilities.
Recipients must match $1 in funds or services for every $2 in grant funding. Cash or services must come from non-federal and/or state sources, and matching funds cannot be used as a match for any other federal or state cost-share project.
Please note that for questions about the program in general or the award process, please contact impecgrantprograms@ncagr.gov
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is proud of the strides North Carolina has taken to promote food production through the “Got to be NC” program. We have seen that consumers are eager to buy local and support North Carolina farms. The Got to be NC program will help connect recipients of this grant with consumers across the country.
