# USDA Funds Illinois Meat Processors

On November 2, 2026, USDA Rural Development announced more than $1.1 million in Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4 grants for six Illinois meat processors. The completed awards support equipment modernization, expanded cold storage, and increased processing capacity; they are not an open solicitation. The program’s focus on facilities that primarily process cattle may point to future funding opportunities for similarly positioned processors and demand for processing and cold-storage equipment suppliers.

- Three identified grants total $922,459: Wennemann Meat Co. received $451,405, Schneider Meats received $243,243, and Dutch Valley Meats received $227,811.
- Funded work includes refrigeration and cold-storage upgrades, dock and pallet-racking improvements, traceability, smokehouse and vacuum-packaging equipment, and expanded processing capacity.
- Equipment providers can use the funded project scopes to identify relevant capabilities for rural meat-processing facilities; processors should note the cattle-processing eligibility focus when assessing potential future program fit.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** November 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- USDA Rural Development (USDA RD)

### Vendors
- Wennemann Meat Co. Inc. (awardee)
- Schneider Meats LLC (awardee)
- Dutch Valley Meats Inc. (awardee)
- WP Meat Company LLC (awardee)
- Harvester Meat Company (awardee)

### Key Quotes
> By expanding processing capacity and modernizing facilities, these investments help build a stronger, more competitive meat supply chain and contribute to the economic vitality of rural America.
> — Jesus Ortega, Illinois State Director, USDA Rural Development

### Sources
- [USDA Invests $1.1 Million in Illinois through Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4 | Rural Development](https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-invests-11-million-illinois-through-meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program-phase-4) - USDA