By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced an exciting opportunity for organizations involved in the meat and poultry processing industry. The Meat Processing Train & Retain Grant program is designed to bolster the workforce within this critical sector.
By providing one-time funding to eligible partner organizations, the program aims to support small- to medium-sized meat and poultry processors in enhancing their hiring and training processes.
Key Features of the Grant:
Funding Amount: Up to $544,000 available in total, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.
Project Completion: All funded projects must be concluded by June 30, 2026.
Eligibility: Open to foundations, community development financial institutions, economic development districts, and community development corporations engaged with the meat processing industry.
Prioritization: Special consideration for projects partnering with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or serving historically underserved communities.
The grant encourages the development of inventive incentive projects, including Tuition reimbursements, Sign-on and retention bonuses and Childcare stipends.
This initiative is particularly focused on uplifting meat and poultry processors owned by or serving historically underserved communities. It also seeks to attract individuals from these communities into the meat processing industry, fostering diversity and inclusion.
Organizations interested in applying have until 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024, to submit their applications. The MDA is conducting a competitive review process to ensure the most impactful projects receive funding.
For more details and to apply online, partner organizations are encouraged to visit the official Meat Processing Train & Retain Grant web page.
The grant is a significant step towards Minnesota's meat and poultry processing industry, aiming to invest in skilled workforce training and retention for long-term sustainability and growth.
Photo Credit -gettyimages-luoman
Categories: Minnesota, Business, Education