US -Hartselle- based meat processor, Weaver Meats, has received a state grant of US$250,000, the maximum amount awarded under the grant, to expand operations and create jobs at its Painesville facility after facing a series of economic hurdles.
Weaver Meats said in a statement that it plans to use its grant funding to buy additional equipment and expand its facility to increase production and packaging capacity.
The Meat Processing Grant comes from the Ohio Department of Development and is used to help meat processors in the state increase capacity, thereby improving the availability of products and lowering costs for the consumer, state Rep. Dan Troy, D-Willowick said.
In total, the department awarded $25 million in grants in two rounds to several meat processors to processors in 53 Ohio counties, with half of the money disbursed before projects are started and the other half awarded after the processing facilities show that the initial funds were spent on eligible costs.
In 1997 is when the company opened the current USDA-inspected meat processing facility in Painesville, Mike noted that their plant has expanded since then.
Weaver Meats makes beef jerky and smokies for a variety of private labels, including Jeff’s Jerky, Iowa Smokehouse, and Amish Smokehouse.
It also sells under its own Weaver Brothers brand, which Mike said supports the local gas stations, convenience stores, flea markets, bars, and more, that sell them.
The state grant to meat processing companies from Ohio State comes at a time when the meat is experiencing modest growth driven by increasing demand for animal-based food, protein-rich diets, and functional meat products.
A recent report by Meticulous Market Research projects the meat-based FPP (Further Processed Products) market could reach US$991.58 billion by 2029 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 6.8% (CAGR) between the forecast period of 2022 and 2029.
The meat-based FPP market encompasses hot dogs, sausages, burgers, meat patties, bacon, wings, and strips made from pork, beef, veal, or chicken.
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