The Meat Processing Train and Retain Grant is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to strengthen workforce development in the state’s small- to medium-sized meat and poultry processing sector. It is designed to support partner organizations in their efforts to help processors with hiring and retaining new employees. The initiative focuses on bolstering capacity and stability in local meat supply chains, a critical sector identified for workforce intervention and economic resilience.
This competitive grant is available to foundations involved in economic development, community development financial institutions, federally recognized economic development districts, and community development corporations. To qualify, the partnering processors must be licensed either by the state of Minnesota or the federal government and must have fewer than 150 employees. The funding targets processors operating in Minnesota, and the program explicitly emphasizes partnerships that collaborate with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, as well as those serving businesses in distressed communities based on the Economic Innovation Group’s Distressed Communities Index.
Allowable uses of the funds include tuition reimbursement for educational programs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, sign-on and retention bonuses for new hires, employee relocation and transportation assistance, housing and childcare stipends, and other direct services such as translation. A portion of funds, up to 20%, may be used for direct employee services, while administrative costs should generally not exceed 10%, unless otherwise justified. Certain costs, such as salaries, bonuses for existing employees, and indirect expenditures, are strictly ineligible.
The application period for the current round closed on April 28, 2025. Interested applicants were required to submit their proposals through the MDA’s online system. Prior to the deadline, questions were accepted until April 21, 2025, and applicants were encouraged to apply early to mitigate any technical delays. Awards are expected to be announced by mid-May 2025, and project work can begin as early as late June 2025, with all funded activities required to be completed by June 30, 2026.
Each applicant’s submission is evaluated using a standardized rubric that weighs organizational capacity, project need and scope, budget justification, work plan, and alignment with program priorities. Successful applicants must comply with reporting requirements, grant risk assessments, and periodic site visits. For general questions, applicants were instructed to email MDA.AGRIGrants@state.mn.us with "Meat Processing Train & Retain Grant" in the subject line. Additional details are outlined in the official RFP document hosted by the MDA.
Prioritize partnerships with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and demonstrate service to DCI-distressed communities for scoring advantage. Ensure clarity and completeness in budget justifications.
