USDA Invests $1.1 Million in Illinois through Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4

MPPEP Phase 4 Provides Grants to Eligible Illinois Meat Processors to Expand Capacity

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega announced the USDA will invest more than $1.1 million in Illinois through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) Phase 4.

"Under the leadership of President Trump, Vice President Vance and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Rural Development programs such as MPPEP are creating new opportunities for rural businesses and livestock producers," said Ortega. "By expanding processing capacity and modernizing facilities, these investments help build a stronger, more competitive meat supply chain and contribute to the economic vitality of rural America."

In Illinois, the following six MPPEP Phase 4 projects will receive a combined total of $1.1 million in grants:

• Allen's Farm Quality Meats in Homer, Illinois, a family-owned and USDA- and State-inspected meat processor serving livestock producers and retail customers since 1987, will receive a $34,007 MPPEP grant. Funding will support the purchase of a backup generator and commercial freezer merchandiser to modernize operations and improve reliability. The equipment will help safeguard refrigerated inventory, reduce downtime, increase retail efficiency, and support continued access to processing services for local livestock producers and consumers.
  
• Dutch Valley Meats Inc. in Arthur, Illinois, a livestock processor operating since 1963, will receive a $227,811 MPPEP grant. Project funding will be used to purchase modern processing equipment that will streamline operations, improve workforce efficiency, and increase throughput. By reducing processing constraints, the upgrades will help the company expand production and work toward doubling its capacity to process locally and regionally sourced beef.
  
• Harvester Meat Company in Canton, Illinois, a USDA-inspected processor, will receive a $125,103 MPPEP grant. Project funding will support the purchase of a portioning unit and a vacuum packaging system. The equipment will modernize packaging operations, increasing output from about 20 to 30 packages per minute while improving consistency and efficiency. By reducing production constraints, the project will support smoother facility operations and expand harvest capacity.
  
• Schneider Meats LLC in Clinton County, Illinois, a federally inspected cattle, hog, and sheep slaughter and processing facility with an on-site retail market and deli will receive a $243,243 MPPEP grant. Project funding will support the acquisition of a two-chamber jet-air industrial smokehouse and a rollstock thermoforming vacuum packaging machine. The new equipment will improve operational efficiency, expand processing options, and introduce advanced chilling, cold-smoking, and fermentation capabilities. The upgrades will increase annual production capacity and enhance services for local livestock producers and consumers.
  
• Wennemann Meat Co. Inc. in St. Libory, Illinois, a federally inspected cattle and hog processor, with full fabrication, further processing, and retail operations, will receive a $451,405 MPPEP grant. Project funding will replace aging refrigeration systems and expand cold-storage capacity through the installation of a fully engineered refrigeration system serving chill, cooler, freezer, and processing rooms. Additional improvements include dock upgrades, pallet racking, and integrated traceability features. The project will enhance operational efficiency, support growing demand, and strengthen the facility's ability to serve livestock producers and customers.
  
• WP Meat Company LLC in Enfield, Illinois, a female-owned USDA-inspected rural meat processor, will receive $95,940 MPPEP grant. Project funding will support the purchase of a 20-foot refrigerated freezer unit, a walk-in cooler refrigeration system, and a diesel generator with an automatic transfer switch. Replacing outdated equipment will expand cold-storage capacity, improve operational reliability, reduce energy consumption, and ensure product protection during power disruptions.

The primary purpose of MPPEP Phase 4 is to support the beef industry by diversifying the meat and poultry supply chain and opening local market opportunities. The applicant's facility must primarily process cattle in order for the project to be eligible for the program, however, funds or equipment may be used for processing meat and poultry at the facility.

USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs to promote rural prosperity. Our programs expand access to high-speed internet, electric, and transportation infrastructure, and support business growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Discover more investment details and historical data in the Rural Data Gateway .

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