Gov. Gianforte Invests $7.8 Million in Value-Added Agriculture

• April 01 2022

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the State of Montana is investing over $7.8 million in value-added agriculture projects.

“Whether by bringing pasture to plate or grain to glass, value-added agriculture helps our ag producers capture more of the value they create,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With Montana farmers and ranchers in mind, we’ll continue investing in value-added ag to create jobs, expand opportunities, and help producers keep pace with a transforming industry.”

During Montana Ag Week, the governor approved the ARPA Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program awards which the Economic Transformation, Stabilization, and Workforce Development Advisory Commission recommended.

Thirty projects across the state will receive funds to assist with the development of agricultural business improvements.

“Following a highly competitive process, the Agriculture Infrastructure Program is making meaningful investments in projects that will advance our industry for generations to come,” said Director of Agriculture Christy Clark. “I look forward to seeing these ag business innovations and expansions bolster our supply chain and boost our economy.”

Projects of varying sizes were awarded funds based on a tiered match requirement totaling $18.7 million in private investments put forward by the successful applicants.

• Awards equal to or less than $150,000 must be matched at $1 to $1 (15 projects)
• Awards from $150,001 to $300,000 must be matched at $2 to $1 (4 projects)
• Awards from $300,001 to $450,000 must be matched at $3 to $1 (11 projects)

The ARPA Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program recipients are as follows:

Bear Paw Meats -- $150,000
Expansion, State Inspected Slaughter Floor Renovations to Increase Capacity

Big Sandy Organics -- $400,000
Expansion, Food Manufacturing Facility 

Big Sky Processing, LLC -- $150,000
New USDA Retail/Slaughter in Central Montana 

Blue Creek Marbled Meat Co -- $300,000
New, Meat Slaughter Facility under Construction for State/USDA Inspection 

BMB Ventures, LLC dba Rawhide Meats -- $30,286
Expansion, Portioning Vacuum Filler Equipment. State Inspected, scheduled for USDA Inspection. 

Butcher Block Specialties -- $140,000
Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades

Commercial Lynks Inc. -- $277,972
Expansion, Pulse Crop Cleaning, Sorting, Splitting, and Bagging Equipment 

Eastern Montana Meats, LLC -- $450,000
Expansion, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades 

Evergood Commodities Ltd -- $450,000
New, Installation of Pea and Lentil Splitting Plant 

Hamilton Packing Company -- $450,000
Expansion, State Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades, Existing Retail 

IND HEMP, LLC -- $450,000
Expansion, Hemp Grain and Hemp Fiber Processing Line 

Lake County Community Development Corporation -- $79,300
Delivering Montana Sourced Value-Added Products for Montana Schools 

Madison Food Park LLC -- $300,000
New, Phase 1 Cheese Manufacturing & Processing Facility 

Meats of Montana -- $150,000
USDA Inspected Retail Storefront Expansion at Pioneer Meats, Inc 

Montana Gluten Free Processors -- $150,000
Expansion, Equipment to Increase Processing Line Performance 

Montana Milling -- $450,000
Expansion, Dehulling, Decortication and Protein Isolate Extraction 

Montana Premier Protein --$450,000
New Pulse Crop Milling Facility 

Nguyen Holdings, Inc dba M&S Meats -- $450,000
New, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Facility; Existing Retail 

OCC Legacy Cuts -- $450,000
Expansion, USDA/Organic Certified Meat Processing Facility 

Old Salt Co-op -- $150,000
Direct to Consumer Meat Marketing + Proposed Slaughter Facility 

Pekovitch Meats LLC -- $45,000
Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades 

Prairie Meats LLC -- $150,000
Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades 

Primitive Meats LLC -- $150,000
Expansion, Custom Exempt Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades 

Pure Montana Meats -- $200,000
Expansion, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades 

S Ranch Meats, LLC -- $102,945
Expansion, USDA Inspected Meat Processing Equipment Upgrades 

Sidney Sugars Inc. -- $450,000
New Natural Gas Boiler Conversion 

Superior Meats, Inc. -- $150,000
Automated Packaging Equipment and Composting System, State Inspected 

The Redwood Group -- $450,000
New Import/Export Facility at The Port of Northern Montana 

Timeless Seeds, Inc. -- $149,900
Food Processing, Equipment Upgrade to Maintain Food Safety Certification 

Western Montana Growers Cooperative -- $147,015
Expansion to Support Increased Local Food Distribution 

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