DATCP accepting applications for Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants
For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24 that it is accepting applications for 2023 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) grants.
Applications will be accepted through March 31.
DATCP will award a total of up to $200,000.00 in BLBW grant funding this year.
A release from DATCP said BLBW is a “competitive grant program designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s agriculture and food industries by helping farms and businesses more efficiently process, market and distribute locally-grown food products.”
“BLBW grants provide consumers with access to more Wisconsin-grown food products, including organic vegetables, hops varieties, hazelnut products, locally-grown grain and other value-added products,” DATCP stated.
Qualified applicants include individuals, groups or businesses involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food distribution, food warehousing, retail food establishments or agricultural tourism operations.
Projects will be required to report on increased local food sales, created and retained jobs, and new investments, according to DATCP.
Projects can receive grant funds for up to three years in duration.
Grant requests must be between $5,000.00 and $50,000. Eligible project expenses include compensation for personnel, consultant services, materials and supplies.
Projects must show a one-to-one match of cash or in-kind support accounting for at least 50% of the total project budget.
DATCP said it will “use a competitive review process to select the most qualified projects.”
Selected project contracts and work may begin in June 2023.
Since its inception in 2008, more than 540 applications have been submitted for BLBW grants, requesting a total of more than $19 million in funding. Of those applications, 102 projects have been funded, totaling more than $2.6 million.
“Previous grant recipients have generated more than $13.76 million in new local food sales, created and retained nearly 400 jobs, and benefited more than 4,900 producers and 4,055 markets,” DATCP stated.
An informational webinar to discuss creating a proposal and how past applicants were successful will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Time will be allotted for questions.
Participants can register for the webinar at www.bit.ly/3HcWxJc.
Grant information and application materials are available on the DATCP website at www.bit.ly/3kP6wNj.
For more information, contact DATCP Grants Specialist Ryan Dunn at [email protected] or 608-590-7239.