New York State Meat Processing Expansion Grant

The New York State Meat Processing Expansion Grant Round 2 program is administered by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. This initiative is designed to strengthen the state agricultural economy by expanding and retaining licensed meat processing capacity and supporting the development of new facilities. The program responds to a nationwide shortage of affordable meat processing infrastructure and aims to improve supply chain resilience, increase access to locally sourced protein, and enhance market opportunities for New York livestock producers. The primary objective of the program is to increase in-state meat processing capacity and improve the market viability of New York sourced meat products. Funded projects are expected to support institutional, wholesale, and retail market channels, including initiatives such as Farm to School and Nourish NY. The program prioritizes projects that expand output capacity, increase revenue, and address regional processing gaps. Additional focus areas include workforce development, operational efficiency, and improvements in food safety standards to enable access to new markets. Funding supports capital investments in facilities and equipment. Eligible uses include construction, renovation, rehabilitation, and expansion of buildings; purchase and installation of processing equipment; and professional services necessary for project implementation. Projects must result in products that contain at least 51 percent raw agricultural ingredients grown or raised in New York State. While non edible products may be included, they must support full carcass utilization and be tied to existing meat processing operations. Pre award costs, general operating expenses, land acquisition, and certain training and travel costs are not eligible. The program provides a total funding pool of at least 4714511 dollars, with individual awards ranging from 50000 to 250000 dollars. A mandatory 20 percent cost share is required and must be applied proportionally across all eligible budget items. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, with quarterly reporting requirements and documentation of expenditures. Payments are only made after goods or services are received and fully paid, and ten percent of each disbursement is withheld until final reporting is completed. Eligible applicants include for profit businesses operating under USDA, 20C, or 5A licenses, startup enterprises with demonstrated capacity and resources, and nonprofit organizations generating revenue from meat processing activities. All applicants must operate within New York State and comply with all applicable regulations. Municipal governments and educational institutions are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate operational readiness, market demand, and strong business relationships, including letters of support from buyers or partners. Applications must be submitted through the SurveyMonkey Apply system. Required components include detailed project descriptions, budget justifications, letters of support, documentation of site control, and evidence of financial and technical capacity. Applications are evaluated based on feasibility, alignment with state priorities, expected impact, and strength of supporting documentation. Review is conducted by a panel of industry experts, with projects scored and ranked for funding consideration. The application period opens July 9, 2026 and closes September 23, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Virtual office hours are offered during the application period. Awards are expected to be announced in late 2026, and all funded projects must be completed by October 31, 2029. The program does not explicitly state recurrence, and no future cycle timeline is guaranteed. Questions and technical assistance are available via the program email during standard business hours.

Demonstrate strong market demand and buyer relationships; provide detailed cost justified budgets; show readiness with permits and quotes; align project with institutional market priorities