The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast.
Donor Name: Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants
Deadline: 09/05/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The goal of this program is to help develop competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability, supporting operations of all sizes in successfully launching and sustaining their products in the marketplace.
This program is for:
- Dairy farmers ready to begin processing,
- Value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing and/or value-added business startups, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market, or
- Dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in the start-up phase of business development.
Funds are intended to support start-up operations, focusing on tangible implementation rather than research and development, concept development, or initial planning.
Funding Information
- Total available funds: $500,000
- Minimum: $15,000
- Maximum: $75,000
Project Period
Grant periods will range from 12 – 18 months, depending on the project.
Eligibility Criteria
This grant is open to applicants from all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Dairy farmer that:
- Produces milk within the Northeast
- Is a licensed dairy operation in compliance with all required state and federal standards
- Value-added business entrepreneur that meets the following requirements:
- Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components
- Has a business entity prior to applying
- Can demonstrate experience in dairy processing and/or related value-added business startup, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market
- Dairy processor established after January 1, 2023 that:
- Has a business entity and milk processing license prior to applying
- Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components.
- Is in the start-up phase of business operations
All applicants must also:
- Be headquartered or based in the Northeast
- Provide Proof of Concept demonstrating the viability of the business idea and product
- Have a plan for new value-added dairy processing that includes market research, financial projections, a branding and marketing strategy, and a facility location
- Obtain licenses to sell dairy products across state lines by the end of the grant period
- Launch their products in the marketplace or have a Letter of Commitment from a buyer, distributor, or retailer indicating plans to sell the product by the end of the grant period
For more information, visit NE-DBIC.
