The Northeast Regional Food Business Center today announced the launch of the first round of funding to support direct business technical assistance and the development of regional technical assistance provider networks. Subsequent rounds of funding will offer direct investment in farm and food businesses and additional opportunities for technical assistance provider grants.
In its first funding round, the Center will provide awards to organizations who provide direct business technical assistance and training to small- and mid-sized food and agricultural businesses. Awards of up to $100,000 will be awarded to providers in the Northeast region who offer:
- Business technical assistance,
- Value and supply chain coordination,
- Market development,
- Financial guidance services,
- Professional development and training, and
- Production expansion and new product development
The Center will also offer awards of up to $200,000 to organizations that focus on regional technical assistance provider network development. Awardees will create or expand regional and sub-regional networks of technical assistance providers. Networks may be organized by industry, market, geographic area or other commonalities.
The deadline to apply for both funding types is Aug. 23, and sub-awardees will be announced in early October.
For more information about the first round of sub-awards for technical assistance providers, visit the Center’s website. Throughout the open application period, there will be opportunities to connect directly with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center, including a pre-recorded webinar that was launched today and three informational webinars that will be held July 30, August 7 and August 15.
First announced in spring 2023, the Northeast Regional Food Business Center serves 11 Northeast states and the District of Columbia, and was established along with 11 centers around the country in response to gaps in food supply chains that were identified or exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center is led through a collaborative structure that includes the NASDA Foundation, New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Buffalo Go Green, Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement, a state council, a community advisory council, and a diversity, equity and inclusion advisory council. The Center aims to provide sustainable and equitable regional network coordination and localized business support to invest in farm and food businesses throughout the Northeast.
