Ocean State Today

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment is collaborating with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center to introduce the Business Builder Award Program sub-awards. This initiative aims to enhance food systems in Rhode Island and across 11 states, including Washington D.C., by providing financial support to small and mid-sized farm and food businesses, encompassing aquaculture and wild-caught marine enterprises. The program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, offering $10 million in this round. Awards will range from $15,000 to $100,000 to assist businesses in scaling operations, expanding markets, and connecting parts of the regional food supply chain.

The Business Builder program will allocate funds through three specific tracks:

Track 1: Equipment Acquisition ($25,000 - $50,000) focuses on purchasing specialized post-harvest equipment like wash-and-pack stations, refrigerated vans, cold storage units, and implementing food safety upgrades.

Track 2: Business Development ($15,000 - $25,000) provides resources for business planning, financial guidance, supply chain analysis, food safety training, workforce development, and strategy formulation.

Track 3: Product & Market Expansion ($50,000 - $100,000) supports businesses in growth efforts through new product development, market analysis, packaging supplies acquisition, kitchen appliances procurement, and software implementation.

Applications for these sub-awards opened on February 24 and will close on April 7. The awardees are expected to be announced in July with projects commencing in August. More information about the application process can be found on the Northeast Regional Food Business Center website.

“Local food businesses and farms help make the Ocean State such a foodie powerhouse,” stated Governor Dan McKee. “Rhode Island is proud to partner in this regional effort to provide financial support to grow the local food economy and strengthen supply chains.”

“DEM is thrilled to partner with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center to enhance our efforts to grow and strengthen Rhode Island’s local food system,” commented DEM Director Terry Gray. “The funding provided through this program will help support local farms and food businesses become more resilient and expand into new markets.”

To aid prospective applicants further, a pre-recorded webinar has been published by the Center along with live informational webinars scheduled for March 11th, March 19th, and March 27th. These sessions aim to address technical queries and offer guidance on navigating the application process.

Established by USDA in 2023 under the leadership of NASDA Foundation alongside various advisory councils including DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment among others like New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets; Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation & Forestry; Buffalo Go Green; Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement; etc., The Northeast Regional Food Business Center continues its mission towards strengthening regional economies through sustainable agricultural practices.

For further details regarding DEM programs or initiatives visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow them across social media platforms such as Facebook Twitter/X (@RhodeIslandDEM) Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem). To receive timely updates from DEM's Public Affairs Office directly via email sign up online today!