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MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish

ID: RD-RBS-25-03-MPPEP • Type: Posted
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Description

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed this program to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency. The previous 2 Phases of MPPEP made available funding for new facilities and renovation and expansion of existing facilities.

USDA MPPEP Phase III is making competitive grant funding available specifically for the processing of wild-caught invasive catfish for purchase of equipment, including improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing Facility, needed to install the equipment to increase processing capacity of invasive, Wild-Caught catfish and overall volume of Processing. This will not only scale capacity and efficiency at Processing facilities, but also help to reduce Invasive Species populations that are decimating marine ecosystems and threatening the economy of the fishing industry.

Background
The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) is designed by USDA Rural Development to support eligible meat and poultry processors in expanding their capacity, promoting competition, and enhancing supply chain resiliency in the U.S. meat processing sector.

Phase III specifically targets the processing of wild-caught invasive catfish, aiming to improve processing efficiency while addressing ecological concerns related to invasive species.

Grant Details
USDA MPPEP Phase III provides competitive grant funding for the purchase of equipment necessary for the processing of wild-caught invasive catfish. This includes improvements, upgrades, renovations, or retrofits to existing facilities to enhance processing capacity and overall volume.

The program aims to scale operations at processing facilities while contributing to the reduction of invasive species populations that threaten marine ecosystems and the fishing industry.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must be meat and poultry processors with a focus on expanding their capacity for processing wild-caught invasive catfish. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to meet project objectives aligned with MPPEP goals, including addressing local market demands and providing commercial options for fishers.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of performance for projects under this grant is 24 months.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant can be up to $1 million or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less.

Place of Performance
The geographic location for performing the grant activities should align with areas impacted by invasive wild-caught catfish.
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Overview

Agency
Rural Business Cooperative Services (RBCS) [USDA - RHS - HQ]
Category of Funding
Agriculture
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Program (CFDA)
10.381 - Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
True
Source
Grants.gov
On 8/7/25 Rural Business Cooperative Services posted grant opportunity RD-RBS-25-03-MPPEP for MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish with funding of $6.0 million. The grant will be issued under grant program 10.381 Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. It is expected that 10 total grants will be made worth between $250,000 and $1.0 million.

Timing

Posted Date
Aug. 7, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Oct. 6, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT Due in 46 Days
Last Updated
Aug. 7, 2025, 9:29 a.m. EDT
Version
2
Archive Date
Nov. 5, 2025

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
City or township governments
Small businesses
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
State governments
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
County governments
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Additional Info
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

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$1,000,000
Floor
$250,000
Estimated Program Funding
$6,000,000
Estimated Number of Grants
10

Contacts

Contact
Nancy D Pletcher Business Loan and Grant Analyst
Contact Email
mppep@usda.gov
Email Description
USDA MPPEP E-Mail
Contact Phone
(785) 271-2733
Additional Information
USDA MPPEP Website
Additional Information Site
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program

Documents

Posted documents for RD-RBS-25-03-MPPEP

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