Montana Announces Funding to Boost Local Meat Processing Infrastructure and Assist Small Businesses

Governor Steve Bullock today announced significant funding through the federal CARES Act to support local meat processing infrastructure and capacity in Montana, as well as to provide additional financial assistance for small businesses and reimburse local governments for COVID-19 related expenses. This investment aims to bolster Montana's food security, making the state stronger in response to the pandemic and long into the future. Due to national supply chain disruptions, Montana businesses can now benefit from increased in-state processing and storage capacity, providing alternative market channels for local cattle, hog, and poultry producers.

Key Takeaways:

• The Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant will provide up to $2,000,000 in funding to support local meat processing infrastructure and capacity in Montana.
• A maximum award of $150,000 will be available to eligible small and medium-sized meat processors responding to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.
• Eligible expenses for the grants include equipment and infrastructure that increases processing and/or storage capacity, costs associated with becoming state or federally inspected, and other business adaptation and diversification activities.
• The Business Stabilization Program will receive an additional $25 million to aid small businesses in recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19, bringing the total funds allocated to $75 million.
• The program has received over 8,000 applications, with funding requests totaling more than $60 million.
• Local governments can submit requests to the Department of Administration for reimbursement of COVID-19-related expenses, including medical expenses, public health expenses, and employee overtime hours substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to COVID-19.
• Eric Bryson, Montana Association of Counties, expressed appreciation for the Governor's administration for allowing input from Montana Counties and for creating a framework for local government reimbursement for public safety and public health stability.

Statistics:

• Total funding available through the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant: $2,000,000.
• Maximum award: $150,000.
• Program has received over 8,000 applications for the Business Stabilization Program.
• Funding requests for the Business Stabilization Program: more than $60 million.
• Total funds allocated to the Business Stabilization Program: $75 million ($50 million initial allocation + $25 million additional funding).
• Deadline to apply for the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant: July 2, 2020, at 5:00pm.

Sources:

• Governor Steve Bullock announcement transcript, [no date].
• Contify.com, "Montana Announces Funding to Boost Local Meat Processing Infrastructure and Assist Small Businesses" [no date].
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