MADISON, WIS. — Wisconsin is awarding 91 meat processors a total of $10 million, announced Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski.

A total of 99 applications were submitted requesting more than $11.1 million in funding.

“The demand and interest from meat processors to build and grow their operations is high,” Romanski said. “Through these grants created by Governor Evers, we are providing critical funding to meat processors to help them thrive in our state and continue producing meat products for local consumers and beyond.” 

The grants were made available through the governor’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grants, which uses funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Recipients are awarded up to $150,000 and must match the grant amount. 

DATCP shared the full list of recipients.

Additionally, in January DATCP provided $5 million for the Meat Talent Development Program to attract students to meat careers, financially support students in Wisconsin meat processing training programs, support program development, and connect the meat processing industry with potential employees.

The 2021-23 biennial budget also included $200,000 in each year of the biennium for Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants. These grants enabled meat processors to invest in their facilities and install equipment to expand production and gain efficiencies. In the first year of the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants, the DATCP received 100 applications requesting more than $4.4 million in funding.

“From bolstering our meat processing workforce to providing resources so processors can increase capacity and throughput, I’ve been glad to direct $15 million of our federal funds, in addition to our budget investments, to support the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s meat and livestock industry,” Evers said. “This industry has been core to our state’s economy for generations, and with this support, we’re going help ensure this industry thrives for generations to come.”