Food and Agriculture Investment Fund Grants

Purpose: Provide state grant support to expand Michigan's food and agriculture processing capacity, grow exports, and increase in-state food processing to drive industry growth and economic development. Eligibility: Open to small, medium, and large food, agriculture, and forest products companies and others investing in or expanding food/ag/forest product operations in Michigan; local governments have also received awards. Applicants must show financing and due diligence and pursue projects with strong industry impact, supply chain benefits, job creation, efficiency gains, gap-filling, leveraged private investment, and clear performance outcomes. Project eligibility: Includes equipment purchases and facility expansions that enhance processing or value-added production (e.g., fruit processing equipment, indoor agriculture/greenhouses, food innovation/tolling centers, meat processing expansions, flour milling/value-added grain processing). Application process: Prospective applicants first engage their regional MDARD economic/community development specialist and submit a preliminary application. MDARD reviews fit with the program; selected projects submit a full application for consideration by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development. Awards are performance-based and reimbursed after project completion per the grant agreement. No fixed deadline is posted; applications are coordinated with MDARD economic development staff.