The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is opening a $6 million grant funding opportunity for seafood processors engaged in processing invasive wild-caught catfish. This funding opportunity will support fishermen and watermen by expanding processing operations, which will expand the food supply chain, and create new and better markets for processing invasive, wild-caught catfish.
“By investing in seafood processors, we can help our hardworking watermen remove invasive catfish from our waterways while strengthening the future of our rural communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
USDA Rural Development is making $6 million available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). Under this new round of program funding, MPPEP Phase 3 Round 2 will provide an opportunity for the processing of wild-caught invasive catfish. Specifically, the grants will help independent businesses build and modernize processing facilities and equipment, adopt new technologies and train workers, among other activities that will result in an increased processing capacity of invasive, wild-caught catfish. This will not only scale capacity and efficiency but also help to reduce invasive species populations that are decimating marine ecosystems and threatening the economy of the fishing industry.
“Wild‑caught catfish processors on the Eastern Shore are playing a vital role in transforming an invasive species challenge into a growing commercial market that supports rural economies,” said Maryland Rep. Andy Harris. “By developing processing capacity for wild‑caught catfish, these businesses contribute to job creation, expand opportunities for watermen and seafood suppliers, and strengthen the broader food and agricultural supply chain. I am grateful that this USDA grant program has enabled investment opportunities like this one that support this important effort.”
Eligible applicants include 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). Private entities must be independently owned and operated, and all entities must be domestically owned. Additionally, the applicants’ facilities must be engaged in processing invasive wild-caught catfish and physically located and operating in the United States or its territories and have been in business for more than one year.
Eligible projects may receive grants from $50,000 up to $2 million. Successful applicants must be able to cover 20% of their total project cost.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on December 7. Details on eligibility and requirements are available on Grants.gov.
