Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 2

What does this 

program do?

The Meat and Poultry 

Processing Expansion Program 

(MPPEP) Phase 2 provides 

grants to help eligible 

processors expand their 

capacity. 

USDA Rural Development 

designed the MPPEP to 

encourage competition and 

sustainable growth in the U.S. 

meat processing sector, and to 

help improve supply chain 

resiliency.

Who can apply?

The MPPEP is open to forprofit and other businesses 

and organizations that 

engage - or propose to 

engage - in meat and poultry 

processing.

How can funds be used?

Grant funds can be used to 

expand processing capacity by 

supporting activities such as:

• Building new – or buying and 

modernizing an inoperable 

facility

• Modernizing or expanding 

existing processing facilities

• Developing, installing, or modernizing 

equipment and technology

• Modernizing or installing equipment to 

ensure worker safety

• Modifying facilities or equipment to 

protect food safety

• Offsetting costs associated with 

becoming an inspected facility

• Ensuring compliance with packaging 

and labeling requirements 

• Supporting workforce recruitment, 

training, and retention

What are the grant minimums and 

maximums?

• The maximum award amount is $10

million, or 30 percent of total project 

costs, whichever is less.

• The minimum grant is $250,000 for

projects that include both construction 

and equipment purchases.

• The minimum grant for equipment-only 

projects is $5 million.

What are some other grant

requirements?

Eligible applicants must:

• Process - or plan to process -

one or more species subject to the 

Federal Meat Inspection Act 

(information is available at 

tinyurl.com/yeyh9d6s), or the Poultry 

Products Inspection Act (information is 

available at tinyurl.com/4yjvc2by) 

• Not hold market share equal to or 

greater than the entity holding the 

fourth largest share of the market 

for the species to be processed

• Have – or plan to get – a Federal 

Grant of Inspection through USDA’s

Food Safety and Inspection Service

(FSIS – information is available at

tinyurl.com/bdcn459t), a Grant of 

Inspection under the Cooperative 

Interstate Shipment Program,

(information is available at 

tinyurl.com/2bpxhtvs), or a statebased, federal-equivalent meat and 

poultry inspection program.

• Comply with the National 

Environmental Policy Act and 

Section 106 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act (you will find 

USDA Rural Development-specific 

information at this link: 

https://tinyurl.com/mrvjuyxn) and all 

other applicable state, local or Tribal 

laws.

What governs this program?

The MPPEP is authorized by Section 

1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue 

Plan, available at this link: 

tinyurl.com/3wdw59aj – PDF. 

How do we apply?

Check the Request for Applications 

(RFA) at https://www.grants.gov/.

Who can answer questions?

You can submit your questions by 

email to MPPEP@usda.gov.

NOTE: Because information changes, always consult official program 

instructions or contact your local USDA Rural Development office for help. A list 

is available at this link: https://go.usa.gov/xJHPE. You will find additional 

resources, forms, and program information at https://rd.usda.gov. USDA is an 

equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Last Updated August 2023