Illinois processing facilities among small businesses eligible for $1.8M in grants

Small processing facilities, food businesses and farms in Illinois can apply for funding through a $1.8 million grant program until Jan. 31.

The Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant program will invest in infrastructure that scales up the processing, aggregation and distribution of food in Illinois communities, according to the program website.

Eligible applicants for grants of up to $150,000 include farms, cooperatives, processing facilities, food business and food hubs with less than 50 employees; nonprofits; local governments; multifarm collaborations; health care entities; educational institutions and correctional facilities.

Funds must be used for purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building or installing infrastructure that will increase Illinois communities’ market access to state agricultural products. Funding can support value-added processing, livestock processing, milling, dairy, trucking, community kitchens and other supply chain blocks, according to the website.

A minimum of 12 grants will be awarded. Applications will be reviewed by local agriculture and food specialists, with decisions expected in February and funds made available in March.

The program is funded by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and will be administered through the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.

More information is available at illinoislfig.org.