By Tim Ravndal
Governor Bullock spends more of your tax dollars to influence the election. He has released $4.2 million federal funding for meat processing industry relief.
There are over 40 additional meat processing businesses that will receive support to boost in-state processing and increase storage capacity in their facilities. The grants allow meat processors to expand their capacity to meet increased demand for local meat and protect consumers from potential meat shortages.
The additional $4.2 million is on top of $7.5 million already awarded to 62 process across Montana in early August. This spending as Montana citizens continue to struggle with jobs and the stifled economy due to the covid-19 lockdown helps answer the question; “Where’s The Beef” or is that “Pork”
Processing companies are using the grants to purchase equipment to expand their storage and processing capacity. Many are modifying their facilities to include slaughter floors and other business adaptations that give producers the option to sell their meat locally rather than shipping them out of state.
The race is on, as with all crony relief programs, funds must be utilized before December 31, 2020. Because the spending is required to avoid losing it and election day is nearly here it is perhaps a coincidence that election day is nearly here and Governor Bullock is working within a confined timefram. With the end of his term approaching January 1st 2021, credit for this spending will not be credited to Mr. Bullock.
With all funding that comes from state and federal grant programs, there are rules and regulations that must be met. Those that applied and have been awarded the tax payer funded grants will be required to meet those rules and regulations. The Montana Department of Agriculture and Department of Livestock worked together to ensure projects adhered to meat processing rules and regulations.
Here is a list of your taxes being invested in the meat processing industry.
Arneson Processing – Belgrade, MT $76,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. B Bar Ranch – Big Timber, MT
$73,500 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. Barney Creek Livestock – Livingston, MT $29,000 to assist with purchase of a building and equipment to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Bonanza Meat Company – Glendive, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases for a new processing facility. Burger Boys – Malta, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Clean Cut Packing – Laurel, MT $150,000 to assist with purchases of a trailer and equipment for a mobile meat processing unit.
Cold Spring Grass Farm – Plains, MT $150,000 to assist with the purchase of a Plant in Box shipping container poultry processing facility. Custer Processing – Miles City, MT $141,500 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Custom Cuts – Lewistown, MT $14,300 to assist with equipment purchases to increase storage and processing capacity. Cut Above Meat Processing – Plains, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications for a new processing facility. Dahl Ranch – Boulder, MT $25,435 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Daniels Gourmet Meat and Sausages – Bozeman, MT $115,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity.Devils Fence Beef – Boulder, MT $25,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity.
Double K Ranch – Darby, MT $150,000 to assist with slaughter floor installation and equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. Eagle Creek Colony – Chester, MT $94,250 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. H and D Meat Processing – Ronan, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. Hamilton Packing Company – Hamilton, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Happel’s Clean Cut Meats – Bozeman, MT $43,051 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase cold storage and processing capacity.
Heggelund Ranch Meats – Anaconda, MT
$50,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. Hi line Meats – Glasgow, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases to for a new processing facility. Integrity Oil and Gas – Eureka, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications for a new processing facility.
Kayle Distributing – Bozeman, MT $148,431 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. KC Meats – Lewistown, MT $90,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. KW Beef – Sunburst, MT $52,536 to assist with equipment purchases and to increase cold storage, transportation and processing capacity.
M&S Meats – Kalispell, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. Mariahs Meats – Harlowton, MT $35,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Montana Farmers Union – Great Falls, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases for a new mobile slaughter unit.
Nicole Wines Livestock – Lewistown, MT $150,000 to purchase mobile meat processing trailer. O’Connor Crops and Cattle – Ekalaka, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases for a new processing facility. Perfect Cuts – Columbia Falls, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Riley’s Meat Company – Butte, MT $91,980 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity.
Ruby Valley Meats – Sheridan, MT $50,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Smith Wild Game Cutting – Malta, MT $7,918 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Stahl’s Processing – Grass Range, MT $74,260 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity. Stampede Packing Company – Kalispell, MT $142,700 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase processing capacity.
Stillwater Packing Company – Columbus, MT $31,950 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. Terminal Meats – Butte, MT $74,920 to assist with equipment purchases to increase cold storage and processing capacity. The People’s Partner For Community Development – Lame Deer, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases to increase processing capacity.
Tizer Meats – Helena, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase cold storage and processing capacity. White’s Wholesale Meats – Ronan, MT $150,000 to assist with equipment purchases and facility modifications to increase cold storage and processing capacity.
For more information on the release of this funding contact Marissa Perry, Communications Director, Governor’s Office, (406) 444-4514
Erin Loranger, Press Secretary, Governor’s Office, (406) 444-9725 Chelsi Bay, MT Dept. of Agriculture, (406) 444-3648.