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: (mm/dd/yyyy) 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.