Port Authority Discusses the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program

The Zanesville Muskingum County Port Authority is getting the word out about the Ohio Department of Development grant program for all Ohio established meat processing businesses.

The grant program will provide up to $250,000 that will help expand the meat compressor business capacity, employee training, upgrade equipment and more, according to Matt Abbott, Executive Director

“We’re trying to get the word out. We’ve met with a few companies already,” Abbott stated. “It’s a pretty easy online application, but these are dollars to help them expand and hopefully solve some of the problems that we have as far as the meat processing and the length it might take a farmer to get some animals processed. It’s been kind of a long wait time.”

Abbot said 50 percent of the grant funding is provided up front to the facility and then the other 50 percent will be received once the purchases from the facility have been made.

“We’re working with our regional and state partners, Ohio Southeast and Jobs Ohio, to ensure we’re getting the word out and taking care of what we need to take care of here in our county,” Abbott said.

One of the requirements states that “the business must own or operate a meat processing facility located in Ohio that was in operation as of July 1st, 2021.”

For more information on the requirements, eligible uses of the funds, the application process and more, please visit development.ohio.gov under the “for business” tab.

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