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(NDAgConnection.com) – Legislation that would set up a USDA grant program for the expansion or construction of small, regional, and independent meat facilities was approved this week by the House Agriculture Committee.

The “Butcher Block Act,” sponsored by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), also would establish grants for increasing hiring and capacity at meatpacking and processing plants.

In March, USDA made grant funding of $150 million out of a $375 million total available for increasing packing capacity, with individual grants of up to $25 million. The remaining $225 million will be available this summer, along with $275 million in lending capital.