The South Dakota Coronavirus Relief Meat Processing Grant Program has seen huge interest.  The state used $5 million of CARES Act Funding to provide grants to help expand existing meat processing facilities and build new operations.  The program is being managed by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Secretary Hunter Roberts says they’ve seen overwhelming demand since the program was rolled out in mid-2021.

He says while a majority of the grants went to existing processors there were also 16 new facilities that applied.

And Roberts says the meat processors taking part in the program vary in size.

He says the relationship consumers have with local producers and butchers was enhanced even more during COVID and it’s a trend that should last for a long time.