February 22, 2022

Meat and poultry processors in Ohio, US, receiving grants to support productions

Meat and poultry processors across Ohio, the United States, are getting a financial boost from the state.

Businesses in Stark, Wayne, Ashland, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties are among those receiving public grants in hopes of stimulating the industry to satisfy consumer demand. Recipients of the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program include two Stark County operations, Polen Meats in Canton Township and Kiko Meats in Paris Township.

Pleasant Valley Poultry in the Baltic area of Tuscarawas County is another recipient.

Each livestock or poultry processor can receive up to US$250,000 under the programme. In total, there will be 40 grant recipients statewide.

"This is an equipment grant," said Brad Polen, operator of Polen Meats. "We will be able to do it more efficiently. We are going to upgrade (equipment.) I would like to hire more employees. I could hire two or three meatcutters, butchers. The animals are here. It is a matter of getting them slaughtered. The supply is here."

Polen Meats, which handles hogs, cattle, goats, lamb and buffalo, has received a grant award of US$230,174.

Steve Kiko, manager of Kiko Meats, said the grant will help the company to "get more products out." He added: "A new freezer and a new barn would definitely help a lot. That will allow us to cut more product and get meat in the freezer quicker." Ohio is awarding Kiko Meats $248,392.

The grants will arrive in two disbursements. A second disbursement comes when and if the recipient demonstrates the initial funding was spent on eligible projects and purchases.

Funds for the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program are coming out of the 2022-2023 state biennial budget approved last year.

- CantonRep.com