The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), in collaboration with Utah State University Extension, is offering the Business Builder Award grants through the Southwest Regional Food Business Center. A total of $600,000 in grant funding is available to support food business entrepreneurs in Utah. Applications are currently being accepted, with a final submission deadline of February 26, 2025. The program aims to strengthen the resilience, diversity, and competitiveness of local and regional food systems by expanding opportunities for food businesses across the state.

The Business Builder Award grants are designed to help Utah-based food businesses grow and innovate. The program will distribute $600,000 in competitive awards and an additional $80,000 in direct-support awards that include technical assistance. These funds will be awarded between 2025 and 2027 to support business expansion, increase storage capacity, and enhance agricultural processing capabilities. UDAF Commissioner Craig Buttars emphasized the program’s significance in supporting the growth of local food businesses, while Dr. Karin Allen from Utah State University Extension highlighted the initiative’s role in fostering economic development within the state's agricultural sector.

Priority will be given to projects that focus on value-added agricultural production, such as diversifying business practices, expanding agritourism, and increasing food processing capacities. Examples of eligible projects include bottling fruits and acidified foods, meat processing (e.g., frozen meats and jerky), and developing cold storage facilities for fresh produce and refrigerated processed foods. Additionally, projects that are located in or directly benefit communities classified as distressed or socially vulnerable will receive special consideration.

Applicants must submit their proposals by February 14, 2025. The grants are intended to benefit businesses that support Utah’s food supply chain and contribute to the sustainability of local food systems. Eligibility criteria focus on food and farm businesses seeking to expand operations and improve food processing and storage infrastructure. The program also aims to support businesses operating in economically at-risk areas as defined by federal indices.

For additional information or questions about the grant application, interested parties can contact Kaylan Burns at foodbiz@usu.edu. The online application is accessible through the Southwest Regional Food Business Center’s website.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s physical office is located in Taylorsville, Utah, with business hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. More information about UDAF’s services, policies, and additional resources can be found on their official website.