Agricultural News
With Ten Million Dollars Available from ODAFF- 195 Meat Processing Grant Applications Top a Hundred Million Dollars in Requests
Tue, 18 Aug 2020 20:16:01 CDT
Friday, August 14th marked the deadline to apply for grants from $10 million in CARES Act funding for Oklahoma meat processors. ODAFF received a total of 195 grant applications totaling $103.8 million in request dollars.
After applications are reviewed, this grant funding of $10 million will be disbursed to allow Oklahoma meat processors to build or expand their businesses and create additional meat processing capacity in Oklahoma, mitigating risks of plant shutdowns and ensuring continued meat availability.
"Currently, there are 84 meat processing facilities in Oklahoma," said Sec. Blayne Arthur. "The overwhelming response in applications we received shows the substantial need for more processing capacity in our state. We look forward to seeing the impact these grants make on our industry."
These grant applications will be reviewed by the existing Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification Board using an evaluation form tailored to meat processing development.
• Points will be awarded based on extent of processing capacity the project will add, credibility and merit of the applicant based on business experience, timeliness of implementation, likelihood of success based on the business plan, and level of need in the given location of the facility.
• The requested amounts of each grant application is expected to vary significantly, but awards will be capped at $1,000,000.
• The Advisory Board may recommend award of the full amount or a lesser amount than what is applied for.
• Once grants are awarded, funds will be disbursed, and recipients will be required to submit regular reports and receipts showing progress and how funds are utilized.
• Improvements to facilities occurring after March 1st are eligible for reimbursement.
• Award money must be expended by recipients by December 30, 2020.
ODAFF expects to have the majority of the funds dispersed by early September.
While not everyone that has applied for the grant money will be funded- the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Commerce Department, Brent Kisling, told Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director that the Commerce Department hopes to work with many of those that do not get funded- with the intent of helping them find alternative funding sources for their expansion efforts.
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