New funds available for Colorado agriculture processors, producers

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) received an allocation of $312,000 through the Governor’s office to support Colorado agricultural processors and manufacturers.

Applicants will be awarded funds through a competitive process administered by CDA’s Markets Division and the Colorado Agricultural Value-Added Development Board.

Weaknesses in the U.S. food production and supply chain systems were revealed during the early days of the current pandemic and the new “Move the Needle” grant funds will serve to strengthen local food systems, create greater resilience, and drive advancement within Colorado’s food and agriculture value chain.

“CDA is excited to help food and ag processors to grow their businesses and create greater resiliency in our local food systems,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg through a press release. “This grant program is a starting place for meaningful investment in one of Colorado’s driving economies: agriculture.”

Growth in Colorado’s food and agriculture value chain, particularly related to food processing and manufacturing, continues to be constrained by a lack of funding for business startup and/or expansion. To mitigate this constraint, CDA will use available funds to award grants that support the development and expansion of agricultural value-added projects.

In some instances, processors may also be producers. Funds will be awarded based upon the project’s expected economic impact, potential for creating new jobs and focus on building resilience in Colorado’s food and agriculture value chain. Successful applicants will demonstrate that the grant funds will contribute to generating new value-added or production opportunities, increasing existing capacity, or creating greater diversification.

CDA’s Markets Division will consult the Colorado Agricultural Value-Added Development Board to assist in the review and selection of projects to receive grant funds. Grants will be capped at $100,000 for any single award, with projects to be completed by Dec. 31, 2021.

The application period opens March 17, 2021 and closes at 11:59 p.m. April 14 2021. Learn more at Colorado Move the Needle grant.

Photo: Kyle Webb