The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced that 38 meat processors, including 10 in Northeastern Wisconsin, will receive grants through the 2024 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program.
Now in its third year, this program aims to grow Wisconsin’s meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the state’s livestock industry.
“When it comes to our meat products, folks know they can trust the quality because Wisconsin’s meats are processed by some of the best workers in the world,” said Gov. Evers. “Over the past five years, we’ve worked hard to make sure our meat processors have additional investments and resources to help support their success. Through the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants we’re announcing today, I’m proud that we’re going to keep building upon our work and progress to bolster our meat and poultry industry for future generations.”
A total of $1.8 million was available for this year’s meat processor grants, with a maximum of $50,000 allowed for each project. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process and are required to provide a match of 100 percent of the grant amount. These grants are available through the 2023-25 biennial state budget. As part of the biennial budget, an additional $200,000 in grants will be available in 2025.
DATCP received 70 applications totaling $3 million in grant requests. The 38 grant recipients and their planned projects include:
- Beck’s Meats, Inc., Kaukauna: Make improvements to packaging efficiency.
- Carl Buddig and Company, Sheboygan: Provide infrastructure for automated bagger and scale project.
- Ebert Meats LLC (DBA Salmon’s Meat Products), Luxemburg: Fund purchase of a patty and poly clip machine.
- Green Bay Dressed Beef, LLC, Green Bay: Purchase and install new equipment for harvest area.
- Maplewood Packing Inc., Green Bay: Make enhancements to cooked sausage cutting and burger forming throughput.
- Salchert’s Market, Inc., St. Cloud: Provide infrastructure to address packaging and cold storage bottlenecks.
- Sheboygan Pasty Company, Inc., Sheboygan: Implement packaging line upgrade to improve efficiency.
- Silver Creek Specialty Meats, Inc., Oshkosh: Fund purchase and installation of clipping equipment.
- TMB East LLC (DBA Haen Meats), Kaukauna: Invest in purchase of link cutter and bulker.
- Witt’s Sausage Haus, LLC, Shawano: Invest in food sealer, repair sausage mixer, and new sinks/faucets
