Program Focuses on expanding the capacity of large animal and blue catfish processing facilities
The Maryland Agriculture and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has announced the opening of the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program to help assist with the much-needed expansion of livestock processing capacity in Maryland.
This program offers grants to eligible applicants to purchase livestock processing equipment and/or upgrade facilities to help increase production in Maryland, with a particular focus on large animal and blue catfish processing. Smaller-scale poultry processing projects may also be eligible.
For the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program, MARBIDCO will contribute up to 50% towards the eligible costs, with a maximum grant award of $50,000 for USDA-inspected slaughter facility projects (including meat and blue catfish processing), and a maximum grant award of $20,000 for other USDA-inspected facilities, secondary blue catfish processing for commercial distribution, custom-exempt processing, or mobile processing projects.
Eligible applicants include individuals and businesses who currently operate livestock and meat processing enterprises in Maryland, as well as those that can start such operations by no later than December 31, 2025. These applicants can include sole proprietorships, partnerships, cooperatives, corporations, or LLCs.
Eligible expenses: Grant funds (and matching funds paid by the applicant) must be used to purchase livestock and meat processing equipment and/ or upgrade facilities for USDA-inspected facilities, custom-exempt or mobile processing projects. Eligible expenses incurred prior to September 2, 2025, are not eligible to be reimbursed using these grant funds. The Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program application deadline is October 24, 2025.
For more information about the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program, contact Sierra Criste, MARBIDCO Financial Programs Specialist, by email at scriste@marbidco.org or by telephone at (410) 267-6807.
Send completed applications to scriste@marbidco.org (electronic submissions are encouraged) or mail to MARBIDCO – Livestock Proc. Equip. Grant, c/o Sierra Criste, 1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21, Annapolis, MD 21403
