Love note from Jeff City

Greetings, My Fellow Missourians

Yesterday, Governor Mike Parson and the Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn announced the creation of the Missouri Meat and Poultry Processing Grant in an effort to quickly increase the food supply chain in our state and to address supply chain disruptions as a result of COVID-19. The General Assembly appropriated $20 million in federal funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES ACT”) to be directed to meat and poultry establishments that employ less than 200 people. This will increase the capacity in Missouri meat and poultry processing facilities and will promote worker safety as a result of the COVID-19. Hopefully, this will add resilience to food supply chain disruptions and will benefit both farmers and consumers.

The grant will be administered using a tiered system, offering up to $200,000 reimbursement for each state and federally inspected establishment that also conducts slaughter. Establishments that further process meat & poultry products, but do not conduct slaughter, qualify for up to $100,000 in grant funds. The grants will be used to reimburse eligible expenses for new and existing establishments that are incurred from March 1, 2020, through Nov. 15, 2020. Eligible expenses for reimbursement include: capital improvements, utility upgrades, livestock intake and storage equipment, processing equipment, packaging and handling equipment, employee testing strategies and more.

In the Department of Agriculture’s press release, Governor Parson said, “As a farmer, I understand firsthand the challenging circumstances the COVID-19 pandemic has created within our agriculture community. Agriculture is the state’s number one economic driver, so I’m thankful for Senator Justin Brown’s leadership as a fellow cattleman and public servant to make sure these additional needs will be addressed.”

The Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn added, “Every part of our food system was challenged during COVID-19. These funds will be put to work in our local communities to address the unmet needs of our small business community, benefiting both producers and consumers.”

The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s website has all the information needed to walk you through the application process as well as a complete list of eligible and ineligible expenses. To read more about the Missouri Meat and Poultry Processing Grant or to apply for the grant please visit:  MO Dept AG Grant Guidlines

Requirements from the MO Department of Agriculture Website

Federally inspected, state inspected and custom exempt slaughter and processing facilities who employ fewer than 200 employees are eligible to apply. Both existing facilities and new facilities that will soon be in operation are eligible to apply. All facilities must provide proof of their federal grant of inspection, state grant of inspection, or application of state grant of exemption, no later than Nov. 30, 2020.

Grant Amount

• Level 1: Maximum $200,000 reimbursement grant

• Federal or state inspected meat and/or poultry slaughter and processing facility

• Facility must conduct livestock or poultry slaughter

• Applications will be accepted from prospective facilities that are not yet inspected or that do not yet conduct slaughter. However, no funds will be disbursed until proof of a grant of inspection for slaughter is provided to the Department.

• Level 2: Maximum $100,000 reimbursement grant

• Federal or state inspected meat and/or poultry processing facility

• Facility does not conduct livestock or poultry slaughter, but does provide further processing under inspection

• Applications will be accepted from prospective facilities that are not yet inspected. However, no funds will be disbursed until proof of a grant of inspection is provided to the Department.

• Level 3: Maximum $20,000 reimbursement grant

• Custom exempt meat processing and/or slaughter facility

• Applications will be accepted from prospective facilities that do not have a grant of exemption yet. However, no funds will be disbursed until proof of a grant of exemption is provided to the Department.

Application Timeline

• July 22, 2020: Applications and guidelines made available

• Aug. 31, 2020: Last day to submit an application

• Sept. 15, 2020: Applicants notified of acceptance or denial

• Nov. 15, 2020: Last day that eligible expenses may be incurred for reimbursement

• Nov. 30, 2020: Deadline for all expenditure and reimbursement documentation to be submitted to the Department

Applications must be submitted to grants@mda.mo.gov by Aug. 31, 2020. Applicants should review the Grant Guidelines document prior to completing their application.

Interim hours: Now that Session is over for 2020, I will be back in District full time. If you need any assistance my Legislative Assistant Amy Helton will be happy to help you Monday-Thursday.

It is my honor to serve the constituents of District 125. If you ever have questions, concerns, or input, please feel free to contact me any time at (573) 751-4065.

YOUR District 125 Capitol office is 413B, and YOU are always welcome!

If you would like to be added to the e-mail list to receive our Capitol Reports, you may e-mail me at warren.love@house.mo.gov or call the Capitol office at (573) 751-4065 and speak with my Legislative Assistant.