Nebraska's meat and poultry industries are set to get more than $50 million from the federal government.
Earlier this week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $89 million in federal grants during the National Farmers Union convention in San Francisco.
The $89 million is being distributed under the Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program to increase available financing for independent processors, alleviate bottlenecks and create opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in rural communities, the USDA said in a news release.
Two Nebraska nonprofit organizations, the Center for Rural Affairs and the Nebraska Enterprise Fund, will each receive $15 million to establish a revolving loan fund to finance the startup, expansion and operation of meat and poultry processors.
“Nebraska families and agricultural producers benefit from this significant investment in the food supply chain” USDA Nebraska State Director Kate Bolz said in a news release. “Funding for the startup and expansion of independent meat processing capacity will promote competition, support producer income and create economic opportunity in rural communities.”
Source: journalstar.com
Categories: Nebraska, Government & Policy, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Poultry