Meat processing plants around the state are getting some much-needed help.
“We did apply and received $4 million of CARES Act money for the state of Indiana focused on small meat processors in the state of Indiana,” says Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler
41 small meat processing plants will receive money to address impacts and cover expenses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many businesses are using the grants to purchase equipment or modify their facilities for increased efficiency. Some are using the funding to train additional staff and purchase personal protective equipment.
Kettler says the investment is more than just $4 million.
“It’s more than a $4 million boost because every one of those dollars had to be matched 1-1, so actually it’s more than an $8 million boost because many of these projects, for example, somebody could have had a $500,000 project and the max reimbursement was $150,000. So, we know that the impact of this growth and what’s happening is going to be more than that $8 million.”
Kettler says the struggles continue for small meat processors.
“I know that we’ve still got a lot of backlogs. I get that, and that’s probably going to happen for some time. But the stories of these people that applied for these grants and what they did was just very heartwarming. They’re doing what they can, and we expect that this this $4 million in grant money going out to those 41 awardees is going to have a significant impact on those areas.”
The 41 awarded meat processors are Hoosier businesses with less than 500 employees.
The list of awardees are as follows:
Awardee, Location, Amount
Brewer Livestock, North Vernon $58,500
Brushy Prairie Packing, Inc., LaGrange $118,300
Butcher Bob’s, Inc., LaGrange $20,000
Cannelburg Processing, Cannelburg $25,900
D & D Meat Processing, Corunna $150,000
Dewig Bros. Packing Co., Inc., Haubstadt $150,000
Ferdinand Processing, Inc., Ferdinand $37,000
First Capitol Meats, Inc., Corydon $79,100
Fisher Packing Company, Portland $150,000
Heritage Meat Haus, LaOtto $112,700
IFG Processing, Ladoga $61,100
Integrity Meats, Churubusco $98,600
J & J Quality Meats, LLC, Bourbon $150,000
Jackson County Custom Processing, Seymour $17,300
John’s Butcher Shop, Nappanee $150,000
Knightstown Locker, Knightstown $150,000
Krider’s Meat Processing, Columbia City $19,900
Manley Meats, Inc., Decatur $150,000
Merkley and Sons Packing, Jasper $96,000
Monon Meat Packing & Catering, Monon $62,000
Munsee Meats, Muncie $150,000
Napoleon Locker Plant, Napoleon $8,500
Odon Locker Inc., Odon $75,700
Old Major Market, Indianapolis $144,500
Oliver’s Butcher Shop, Union City $78,900
Parrett’s Meat Processing & Catering, Flora $64,000
Pate’s Processing, Hanover $97,700
Paxton Enterprises, Clinton $81,000
Pig’s Tale Charcuterie Co., Indianapolis $16,800
Rice’s Quality Farm Meat, Inc., Spencer $99,300
Rihm Foods, Cambridge City $150,000
Saint Adrian Meats & Sausage, Lebanon $47,300
Sander Processing, Celestine $150,000
Sims Meat Processing, LaPorte $150,000
Slabaugh Meat Processing, Inc., Nappanee $59,300
Sugar Rock Farms Meat Processing, Westport $150,000
The Market at Swayzee, Swayzee $20,600
This Old Farm, Inc., Colfax $150,000
Tri Eagle Provisions, Inc., Gary $150,000
White’s Meat Market, Kokomo $150,000
Yoder’s Meats and Cheese Co., Inc., Shipshewana $150,000