CHEYENNE, WYO. – The Wyoming Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program (WMPEG) is up and running again. Governor Mark Gordon relaunched the program that provides support for Wyoming meat processing facilities and citizens impacted by supply chain disruptions and regional shut-downs of processing facilities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers grants of up to $500,000 to eligible businesses with a 50% match component for funding.

The Wyoming Department of Agriculture (WDA) is now accepting applications for the program. Initial priority will be given to entities and businesses who did not previously receive funding from WMPEG. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served rolling basis until funds have been expended. Applications will be reviewed for accuracy, eligibility, and completeness by the Wyoming Business Council, the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, and the governor’s office.

Up to $2 million in Federal CARES Act funds were allocated for the program. State officials believe there is an ongoing need to enhance the local food supply chain security and capacity across Wyoming.

“The significant processing bottlenecks that surfaced last year have not gone away,” Gordon said. “This program will continue to help improve our meat processing capacity and ensure Wyomingites have access to high-quality products. Our work assisting independent processors is important to our overall agriculture diversification efforts and helps to expand an important sector of our ag economy.”

More information can be found here.