AJ Taylor19 hours agoLast Updated: June 23, 2021 The Center for Rural Affairs is applauding the launch of a new grant program aimed at building capacity and increasing economic opportunity for area small and mid-sized meat and poultry processors. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will provide $55.2 million in competitive grant funding through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. The program is funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. “Demand for local foods has grown steadily over the past 16 months, and producers have risen to meet the challenge,” said Johnathan Hladik, policy director for the Center for Rural Affairs. “Our processors are our partners, and they have done all they can to keep up. This program will help them make the efficiency and capacity improvements needed to keep this important piece of our rural economy growing.”