Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Strategic Growth Initiative

Grants to Michigan businesses, IHEs, nonprofits, and agricultural organizations to support economic development of the State's food and agriculture industry. Eligible projects benefit industry and/or the public by removing barriers and creating opportunities for food processors, agribusiness, and agricultural producers to develop and grow their organizations and businesses.

Projects should identify ways to validate new and improved innovations for emerging issues and allow for the sharing of information to benefit the industry and stakeholders.

Applications for funding should describe how the project impacts the Michigan food and agriculture industry. The project must produce measurable outcome(s) for the growth of the food and agriculture industry and/or the public, rather than a single organization or individual.

Priority will be given to projects that identify a scope of work that includes one or more of the following as it relates to the food and agriculture industry:

1. Talent/Workforce Development (i.e. training activities)
2. Infrastructure/Logistics (i.e. broadband access)
3. Feasibility Studies (i.e. enhancing value added capacity)

Grant funds cannot be used to pay for the acquisition of land or the purchase, construction, or structural repair of a building or facility.