Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program
The Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program was created to assist with the expansion of livestock processing capacity in Maryland. This program offers grants to eligible applicants to purchase livestock and meat 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.
MARBIDCO will contribute up to 50% towards the eligible costs, with a maximum grant award amount of $50,000 for USDA-inspected slaughter facility projects (including meat and blue catfish processing), and a maximum grant award amount of $20,000 for other USDA-inspected facilities, secondary blue catfish processing for commercial distribution, custom-exempt processing, or mobile processing projects.
Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program
Overview
MARBIDCO has established the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program to help assist with the expansion of livestock processing capacity in Maryland. This program offers grants to eligible applicants to purchase livestock and meat 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 amount of $50,000 for USDA-inspected slaughter facility projects (including meat and blue catfish processing), and maximum grant award amount of $20,000 for other USDA-inspected facilities, secondary blue catfish processing for commercial distribution, custom-exempt processing, or mobile processing projects.
Terms and Conditions
Minimum Amount of Grant: $5,000
Maximum Amount of Grant: $50,000 per project for USDA-inspected slaughter facilities; $20,000 per project for other USDA-inspected facilities, secondary blue catfish processing for commercial distribution, custom-exempt, or mobile processing projects
Match Required: Applicants are required to pay at least 50% of the eligible project costs.
Application Deadline: October 24, 2025 (electronic submissions are encouraged)
Disbursement of Funds: All applicants should expect to purchase or order equipment by no later than January 30, 2025. Funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis (proof of payment required) or MARBIDCO can directly pay vendors with submission of approved invoices.
Photo: Tilghman Island SeafoodEligible 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 before September 2, 2025, are not eligible to be reimbursed using these grant funds.
For more information about the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program and to apply, contact Sierra Criste by email at scriste@marbidco.org or by telephone at (410) 267-6807. To mail an application: MARBIDCO, Livestock Processing Grant, Attn: Sierra Criste, 1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21, Annapolis, MD 21403
(Electronic submissions are encouraged.)