RALEIGH – Applications are now being accepted for the NC Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative, which has been created to fund and promote the establishment of value-added agricultural manufacturing and food processing facilities in North Carolina.

“This program will help create new opportunities for farmers and agribusiness owners and will also benefit consumers with locally produced foods and products,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Value-added opportunities help farmers capture more returns from their raw commodities and this program continues our efforts to increase food production capacities locally.” 

The new initiative was established by the NC General Assembly in the 2023 session and will be administered by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Potential applicants are invited to contact NCDA&CS to discuss proposals prior to applying to determine fit and for other guidance. Potential applicants are asked to email the Marketing office at [email protected].

The program is intended to:

1. Provide support for agricultural processing opportunities that increase jobs and local property tax bases across the state and/or reduce costs and increase profit options for North Carolina farmers and growers.
2. Identify and assess opportunities to increase value-added processing of commodities produced in the state and fill geographic and commodity gaps across the state.
3. Market and recruit facilities to fill such gaps and meet such opportunities.
4. Support eligible entities with funding for eligible costs necessary to create or expand North Carolina agricultural manufacturing facilities and projects related to increased demand for agricultural products.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The guidelines, application and supporting documents for NCAMPI can be found at NCAgr.gov/Divisions/Marketing/NCAMPI.

Source: NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services