Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program

The Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program is administered through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. The program was established under Virginia State Code to address the environmental and economic challenges posed by the invasive blue catfish species, which has spread throughout Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay tributaries. These fish consume important native and commercial species, creating ecological imbalance and threatening fisheries. The grant program is designed to incentivize local governments to build infrastructure that supports the harvesting, processing, and commercialization of blue catfish, thereby turning an environmental problem into an economic opportunity. The primary purpose of the program is to expand processing capacity and infrastructure related to blue catfish, including facilities for processing, flash freezing, packaging, labeling, and distribution. Funding is intended to support capital expenditures that directly enhance local food production systems and promote environmental sustainability. Projects must demonstrate clear community benefits, including economic development impacts, support for local seafood industries, and improved market access for watermen harvesting blue catfish. The program prioritizes projects that are located near small-scale watermen, involve locally owned processing facilities, and incorporate partnerships with existing seafood businesses. Eligible applicants are limited to political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Virginia, including counties, cities, towns, industrial or economic development authorities, and planning district commissions. Applicants must be in good standing with any previous awards from the fund and are limited to one application per funding round. Projects located in specific priority regions, such as the Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority or Planning District 23, may receive additional consideration, particularly if they also demonstrate benefits to multiple producers or are situated in economically distressed communities. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with applications evaluated based on the clarity and strength of the proposal. Applicants must follow the prescribed AFID application format and provide detailed information regarding project purpose, issues addressed, expected benefits, goals, deliverables, and use of funds. Evaluation criteria include projected economic impact, likelihood of successful implementation, demonstrated support from watermen and seafood stakeholders, and incorporation of environmentally sustainable practices. Projects that include a local match may receive additional consideration, though a match is not explicitly required. The program operates through periodic funding rounds, with application windows announced as funding becomes available. Completed applications must be submitted either electronically via email or by postal mail to the Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. Once awarded, grants are reimbursable, meaning recipients must incur eligible expenses before requesting reimbursement. Grantees enter into a Memorandum of Agreement outlining the terms of the award, including reporting obligations and timelines. Awardees are given a two-year performance period from the date of award announcement to complete project deliverables, with the possibility of a one-year extension upon approval. Reporting requirements include an interim report after one year and a final report at project completion, accompanied by financial documentation such as receipts and invoices. Up to 75 percent of grant funds may be reimbursed prior to the end of the project period, with the final payment contingent upon verification of all deliverables and documentation. The program is expected to recur based on available funding, continuing to support infrastructure development that mitigates the impacts of invasive blue catfish while strengthening Virginia’s seafood economy.

Clearly demonstrate economic impact, stakeholder support from watermen and seafood communities, and environmental sustainability; prioritize projects near watermen and locally owned facilities