Eligible Entities
Eligible applicants include: Tribes and Tribal Entities, for-profit and nonprofit entities, corporations, producer-owned Cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, State or local government entities, and other entities (regardless of legal structure).
All applicants must have:
• Currently process seafood or Wild-Caught catfish for commercial markets and have been in business for more than one year
• Operate or plan to operate under a grant of inspection from USDA to process invasive, Wild- Caught catfish subject to the FMIA
• Plan to increase Processing capacity for invasive, Wild-Caught catfish, at their existing Facility
• Have a State Aquatic Nuisance Species or Invasive Species management plan that includes catfish
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities include:
• Purchasing or upgrading Processing and manufacturing equipment (including cutting, skinning, de-scaling, and de-boning equipment, mixers, grinders, pipes, motors, pumps, and valves);
• Developing, customizing, and installing equipment, devices, and technology that automates Processing functions to improve worker conditions and safety;
• Upgrading equipment to ensure food safety;
• Developing, customizing, and installing equipment that reduces emissions, increases efficient water use, and improves air and/or water quality to help lower operating costs at the Facility;
• Purchasing or upgrading composting equipment;
• Purchasing or upgrading packaging and labeling equipment;
• Making internal or minimal external improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing Facility needed to install the equipment;
• Ensuring compliance with occupational and other safety requirements under applicable law; including revising existing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans to include catfish; and
• Paying staffing or operational costs, including training specifically tied to implementing the proposed project.
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