USDA awards $250,000 to North Carolina meat processor for facility improvements

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $250,000 investment in a North Carolina meat processing business to help expand operations, improve equipment and strengthen the state’s meat processing capacity.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Monday, Nov. 2, that Greene Grain Cattle LLC will receive the funding through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.

The grant will support improvements to the company’s livestock processing facility, including wastewater management, packaging equipment and slaughter operations.

What the funding will cover

According to USDA, Greene Grain Cattle LLC plans to use the $250,000 grant to purchase several pieces of equipment designed to improve efficiency and safety.

The improvements include:

• Wastewater management: Pumping equipment to support on-site land application of treated wastewater.
• Packaging equipment: A rollstock packaging machine and film labeler to improve packaging efficiency and extend product shelf life.
• Processing equipment: Carcass hoists, a hide puller and transfer equipment to support livestock processing operations.

USDA says the upgrades are intended to increase processing capacity, improve packaging quality and enhance worker safety.

Part of a larger federal investment

The funding is part of a broader $57 million investment through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program across 40 states.

The USDA announced that the congressional notification period has concluded, allowing the agency to begin obligating the funds.

“Under President Trump, this administration is delivering for the men and women who feed our nation. Now that these funds are moving, ranchers will have more options close to home, more competition will return to the market, and more of the value of American-raised beef will stay in rural communities,” Rollins said.

The USDA says the program is designed to help independent meat and poultry processors expand operations, encourage competition and strengthen domestic food supply chains.

Supporting independent processors

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program is administered by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

The program provides grants to eligible independent processors to help increase production capacity and improve supply chain reliability.

According to USDA, more than $200 million has been awarded to independent businesses through the program, supporting projects that the agency says have created thousands of jobs nationwide.

The department says the latest investment is part of its continued efforts to expand meat processing options for farmers and ranchers while supporting rural economies.