USDA Invests $464,500 to Expand West Virginia Meat Processing Capacity, Strengthen Competition and Support Ranchers

(Morgantown, W.Va., November 3, 2026) - Recently, Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced that processors in 40 states would receive $57 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), this includes $464,500 for two West Virginia processors to expand their capacity and create new and better markets.

"Expanding local processing capacity is critical to building a resilient food supply chain and keeping more economic value in our rural communities. These investments will help producers meet growing consumer demand for locally sourced products, create new market opportunities, and ensure that more food can be processed and distributed closer to where it is raised." said West Virginia State Director John Reisenweber. "USDA Rural Development is committed to making strategic investments that support local producers and create lasting economic opportunities across West Virginia."

In West Virginia, the following processors have received MPPEP grants:

• Lost River Meat Company, LLC in Hardy County will receive $250,000 in grant funds to expand beef processing capacity, eliminate production bottlenecks, and meet growing regional demand for locally sourced beef. Grant funds will be used to purchase high-capacity processing and packaging equipment, including a slicer, dual-grinding system, automated weigh/price labeler, hot dog peeler, and related equipment. These investments will automate labor-intensive processes, increase annual cattle throughput, expand value-added product production, and increase custom processing opportunities for local farmers and ranchers while strengthening the regional food supply chain.
  
• Zimmerman Gajewski, LLC in Greenbrier County will receive $214,500 in grant funds to increase processing efficiency, expand value-added product offerings, strengthen supply chain resiliency, and improve sustainable waste management. Grant funds will be used to purchase a carcass-splitting band saw, automated vacuum portioner, smokehouse, rotary composter, biochar kiln, and backup generator. These investments will reduce processing bottlenecks, create new smoked and specialty meat products, and convert processing waste into marketable compost.

MPPEP is managed by USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Services and provides grants to help eligible independent processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the program to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the United States meat processing sector and improve supply chain resiliency.

USDA has awarded more than $200 million to independent businesses under the MPPEP program. These projects have created thousands of jobs across the country. Learn more about USDA's investments to strengthen the meat and poultry supply chain at usda.gov/meat .

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making Rural Development's investment data accessible to the public. For more information about USDA Rural Development programs, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov .

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