Applications Now Open Through October 31 for Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grants

October 1, 2025

Applications Now Open Through October 31 for Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grants

Richmond, Va. - The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is currently accepting grant funding applications for projects that will help expand the commercial fishing and processing of blue catfish in the Commonwealth. Applications for the Governor's Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program will be accepted today through Oct. 31, 2025.

Introduced several decades ago as a recreational trophy fish, blue catfish is an invasive species and aggressive predator that has been documented in the Chesapeake Bay and all its Virginia tributaries. As blue catfish eat native species including shad, herring, striped bass, menhaden, clams and blue crabs, they pose a significant threat to the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay.

"This grant drives innovation and economic development in our agricultural and seafood processing industries, creating new income streams while protecting our natural environment," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr.

"Blue catfish are delicious and nutritious, and we need the wild population under control," said VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. "Through this grant, we can partner with Virginia watermen and fish processors to tackle this invasive species and turn it into a commercially viable enterprise - which is a win-win for everyone."

The Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program awards reimbursable grants of up to $250,000 to support infrastructure development projects that directly support local food production, enhance environmental sustainability, and demonstrate a broad community benefit. Grant funds should be used primarily for capital expenditures. Grant priority will be given to the following project types:

• Projects that create processing, flash freezing, and infrastructure capacity in proximity to small-scale blue catfish watermen.
• Processing facilities that are primarily locally owned, including packaging, freezing, and labeling facilities that are used for processing blue catfish.
• Projects that involve or incorporate existing seafood processors and businesses.
• Projects located in the localities of the Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority or in Planning District 23.

Additional information and application for this grant opportunity are available at https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agriculture-afid-infrastructure-grants-blue-catfish.shtml. Completed grant funding applications should be emailed by Oct. 31 to Rachel Meyers, Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development, at [email protected] or postmarked by Oct. 31 and sent by postal mail to VDACS Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Va., 23219.