The department recently awarded $12.4 million in grants focused on expanding the processing of agricultural products. The investment in these eight projects is expected to be a boost for farmers by providing more options close by to process and distribute products.

• I am excited to share that the department recently awarded $12.4 million in grants that will focus on expanding the processing and distribution of produce and dairy products in the state.
  
• We have been working to create more value-added opportunities for farmers and have been successful in lobbying the General Assembly for funds that will help strengthen our food supply. This provides a great benefit to both farmers and consumers.

• A total of eight projects were funded in this first round of North Carolina Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative which we refer to as NCAMPI grants.

• I am hopeful we can secure additional funding for more project requests as we see the positive results of these investments.

• Each project focuses on the expansion of current businesses to fill existing gaps in the processing of agricultural products.
  
• These projects will increase farmer opportunities, reduce cost to both the farmer and consumer, result in more jobs and will leverage $63.4 million in private investment right here in North Carolina.

• We anticipate this will increase the number of high value-added goods and products manufactured in N.C. from agricultural products grown or produced in N.C.

• Our farmers and growers need more options close by to process and distribute their products.

• Projects were awarded across the state and for a variety of crops. For example …

• Johnson Breeders Inc. of Duplin County received $1 million for corn handling/drying.

• Maola Milk in Guilford County received $980,600 for school milk production.
• FlavorFull Slices in Henderson County received $220,000 for an apple slicer.
• Origin Foods LLC in Iredell County received nearly $2.3 million for dairy equipment.
• Ripe Revival in Nash County received over $1.9 million for vegetable processing.
• Cardinal Foods in Pender County received over $4.3 million for sweet potato processing.
• Foster Caviness in Pitt County received $158,152 for vegetable processing.
• Mitchell’s Meat Processing in Stokes County received over $1.5 million for livestock processing.

• I am excited to share more as these businesses move forward in expanding their operations and increasing opportunities.