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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting Phase III applications through its Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPEPP). This phase of the program will solely support projects related to the processing of invasive, wild-caught catfish. The total funding availability is $6 million, with maximum awards up to $1 million per project. A cost share of 50 percent of the total project is required. Applications are due by October 6, 2025.

What is the purpose of this program?

The primary purpose of MPPEP has been to provide new, better and more processing options to meat and poultry producers, in the applicant’s market. It has been part of the broader USDA initiative to improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The goal for this solicitation is to specifically support processors of invasive, wild-caught catfish species by increasing processing capacity and providing greater opportunity in this sector. Strategies that can fulfill this goal and ensure lasting impacts include projects to increase processing capacity; increase processing volume; elevate incomes for both fishers and processors; and to provide fair wages; and new, stable and safe job opportunities at processing facilities to keep profits circulating in rural communities.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include for‐profit and nonprofit entities; producer‐owned cooperatives and corporations; certified benefit corporations; tribes and tribal entities; state or local government entities; and other business types (regardless of legal structure). Private entities must be independently owned and operated, and all entities must be domestically owned. Additionally, the applicants’ processing facilities must be physically located and operating in the United States or its territories. There is no rural area requirement for the program.

Additional eligiblity requirements include the following: 

• Currently process seafood or wild-caught catfish for commercial markets and have been in business for more than one year;
• Operate or plan to operate under a grant of inspection from USDA to process invasive, wild-caught catfish subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA);
• Plan to increase processing capacity for invasive, wild-caught catfish, at their existing facility; and
• Have a State Aquatic Nuisance Species or Invasive Species management plan that includes catfish.

What are allowable uses of grant funds?  

Grant funds can be used for:

• Purchasing or upgrading processing and manufacturing equipment (including cutting,skinning, de-scaling, and de-boning equipment, mixers, grinders, pipes, motors, pumps,and valves);
• Developing, customizing, and installing equipment, devices, and technology that automates processing functions to improve worker conditions and safety;
• Upgrading equipment to ensure food safety;
• Developing, customizing, and installing equipment that reduces emissions, increases efficient water use, and improves air and/or water quality to help lower operating costs at the facility;
• Purchasing or upgrading composting equipment;
• Purchasing or upgrading packaging and labeling equipment;
• Making internal or minimal external improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing facility needed to install the equipment;
• Ensuring compliance with occupational and other safety requirements under applicable law; including revising existing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans to include catfish; and
• Paying staffing or operational costs, including training specifically tied to implementing the proposed project.

What are the funding levels for MPEPP Phase III?

There is a total $6 million available for this phase of funding. Maximum awards amounts range to $1 million or 50 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. A cost share of 50 percent of the total project is required.

What is the grant timeline? 

Applications are due by October 6, 2025 at 11:59 Eastern Time. The project period must not exceed 24 months. 

The full MPEPP Phase III Request for Applications can be found here. 

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.