DATCAP Gets Meaty: Infrastructure Grant Program

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) today announced that 70 applications were submitted for the 2023 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program. These grants aim to grow and improve the long-term viability of the Wisconsin’s meat and livestock industries. Submitted applications totaled more than $2.8 million in requested funding from the state and over $38 million of total investment by the industry.

“Wisconsin’s meat processors are a key component of a resilient supply chain, supporting our local communities, serving area farmers, connecting with consumers, and bolstering our economy, and the past few years have only underscored their importance,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “From creating this program in 2021 to proposing an additional $1.6 million for this program in my 2023-25 budget, investing in and supporting our local meat processors has been a top priority for our administration and it will continue to be in the years ahead.”

A total of $200,000 was available for this year’s Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program with a maximum grant of $50,000 allowed for each project. These grants were created through the 2021-23 biennial budget signed by Gov. Evers, which included a $200,000 annual investment to help meat processors increase throughput. In 2022, DATCP received 100 applications totaling more than $4.4 million in funding requests for the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program. Following this demand for funding, Gov. Evers allocated $10 million of federal funds for the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grant Program, and DATCP announced 91 recipients as grant awardees. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.