COVID-19 relief is making its way to Indiana’s meat processors. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has awarded $4 million from the federal CARES Act to 41 businesses through its Indiana Meat Processing Expansion & Development Grant Program.
Locally, Sims Meat Processing in LaPorte was awarded the maximum $150,000, while Monon Meat Packing & Catering got $62,000.
The money can be used for equipment upgrades, staff training, personal protective equipment, or a number of other uses designed to strengthen the food supply chain. Grant recipients have to provide a 50-percent match. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture says the 41 recipients were chosen from a pool of 60 applicants.