South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) has directed $5 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture to provide grants to small meat processors looking to expand their capacity.
The program will reimburse processors a portion of expenses depending on the total amount of approved applications.
Grants are eligible to meat processors in the state with less than 60 employees who meet one of the following requirements: state-inspected “equal to” slaughter or processing plant; licensed custom-exempt slaughter plant; or a very small federally inspected plant.
Applications are due May 1 and awards will be announced May 25. For more information, contact Brian Pontious at 605-773-5559, or brian.pontious@state.sd.us.
