USDA announced $195.9 million in a mix of loans and value-added grants pegged to improve the supply chain for food and agriculture.
The funding announcement was tied to the first meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience as the Biden administration seeks to highlight programs meant to "strengthen supply chains critical to America's economic and national security." The administration also looks to change Americans' perceptions of inflation and the strength of the economy.
USDA rolled out loans and grants for 185 projects across 37 states.
Value-added producer grants
The bulk of the funding, $164.2 million, is tied to seven industry loans, including a couple of loans for $40 million each for separate projects in Florida and Texas.
Merchant's Garden LLC, a hydroponic and aquaponic farm in Tucson, Arizona, received $250,000 to expand marketing and sales of prepackaged salad mixes to help them become a local supplier of organic leafy greens for southern Arizona.
The White House said the focus on supply chain resiliency is part of President Joe Biden's "Bidenomics agenda to lower cost for American families."
Along with USDA's award announcements, the president will issue an order for the Department of Health and Human Services to boost investment in domestic manufacturing of essential medicines.
Source: Progressive Farmer