Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the State of Montana is investing over $7.8 million in value-added agriculture projects.
“Whether by bringing pasture to plate or grain to glass, value-added agriculture helps our ag producers capture more of the value they create,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With Montana farmers and ranchers in mind, we’ll continue investing in value-added ag to create jobs, expand opportunities, and help producers keep pace with a transforming industry.”
During Montana Ag Week, the governor approved the ARPA Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program awards which the Economic Transformation, Stabilization, and Workforce Development Advisory Commission recommended.
Thirty projects across the state will receive funds to assist with the development of agricultural business improvements.
“Following a highly competitive process, the Agriculture Infrastructure Program is making meaningful investments in projects that will advance our industry for generations to come,” said Director of Agriculture Christy Clark. “I look forward to seeing these ag business innovations and expansions bolster our supply chain and boost our economy.”
Projects of varying sizes were awarded funds based on a tiered match requirement totaling $18.7 million in private investments put forward by the successful applicants.
- Awards equal to or less than $150,000 must be matched at $1 to $1 (15 projects)
- Awards from $150,001 to $300,000 must be matched at $2 to $1 (4 projects)
- Awards from $300,001 to $450,000 must be matched at $3 to $1 (11 projects)
The ARPA Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program recipients are as follows:
Bear Paw Meats — $150,000 – Expansion, State Inspected Slaughter Floor Renovations to Increase Capacity
Big Sandy Organics — $400,000 – Expansion, Food Manufacturing Facility
Big Sky Processing, LLC — $150,000 – New USDA Retail/Slaughter in Central Montana
Blue Creek Marbled Meat Co — $300,000 – New, Meat Slaughter Facility under Construction for State/USDA Inspection
BMB Ventures, LLC dba Rawhide Meats — $30,286 – Expansion, Portioning Vacuum Filler Equipment. State Inspected, scheduled for USDA Inspection.
Butcher Block Specialties — $140,000 – Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades
Commercial Lynks Inc. — $277,972 – Expansion, Pulse Crop Cleaning, Sorting, Splitting, and Bagging Equipment
Eastern Montana Meats, LLC — $450,000 – Expansion, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades
Evergood Commodities Ltd — $450,000 – New, Installation of Pea and Lentil Splitting Plant
Hamilton Packing Company — $450,000 – Expansion, State Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades, Existing Retail
IND HEMP, LLC — $450,000 – Expansion, Hemp Grain and Hemp Fiber Processing Line
Lake County Community Development Corporation — $79,300 – Delivering Montana Sourced Value-Added Products for Montana Schools
Madison Food Park LLC — $300,000 – New, Phase 1 Cheese Manufacturing & Processing Facility
Meats of Montana — $150,000 – USDA Inspected Retail Storefront Expansion at Pioneer Meats, Inc
Montana Gluten Free Processors — $150,000 – Expansion, Equipment to Increase Processing Line Performance
Montana Milling — $450,000 – Expansion, Dehulling, Decortication and Protein Isolate Extraction
Montana Premier Protein —$450,000 – New Pulse Crop Milling Facility
Nguyen Holdings, Inc dba M&S Meats — $450,000 – New, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Facility; Existing Retail
OCC Legacy Cuts — $450,000 – Expansion, USDA/Organic Certified Meat Processing Facility
Old Salt Co-op — $150,000 – Direct to Consumer Meat Marketing + Proposed Slaughter Facility
Pekovitch Meats LLC — $45,000 – Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades
Prairie Meats LLC — $150,000 – Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades
Primitive Meats LLC — $150,000 – Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades
Pure Montana Meats — $200,000 – Expansion, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades
S Ranch Meats, LLC — $102,945 – Expansion, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades
Sidney Sugars Inc. — $450,000 – New Natural Gas Boiler Conversion
Superior Meats, Inc. — $150,000 – Automated Packaging Equipment and Composting System, State Inspected
The Redwood Group — $450,000 – New Import/Export Facility at The Port of Northern Montana
Timeless Seeds, Inc. — $149,900 – Food Processing, Equipment Upgrade to Maintain Food Safety Certification
Western Montana Growers Cooperative — $147,015 – Expansion to Support Increased Local Food Distribution
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Office of the Governor
