North Carolina Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative

The North Carolina Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (NCAMPI) is a grant program administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). Created through legislation by the North Carolina General Assembly during the 2023 session, NCAMPI is a strategic effort to address critical gaps in value-added processing of agricultural commodities across the state. The initiative was designed to support agricultural and economic growth by funding infrastructure and facility development projects that directly enhance North Carolina’s agricultural manufacturing capabilities. It specifically targets agricultural products grown or produced in the state, with an emphasis on stimulating regional economic competitiveness and job creation through expanded processing capacity. The primary goal of NCAMPI is to foster the development of agricultural manufacturing facilities that utilize local agricultural products as a significant input. By doing so, the program seeks to reduce transportation costs, minimize product damage, and ultimately increase profitability for farmers and growers. Projects supported by the initiative are expected to boost demand for North Carolina agricultural goods, fill both geographic and commodity gaps in the current processing infrastructure, and contribute to property tax bases throughout the state. The program also supports market recruitment efforts and the identification of opportunities through assessments conducted by expert consultants and in partnership with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Eligibility for NCAMPI grants is limited to local governments and nonprofit economic development entities. The grants can be used for a variety of project-related costs, including the design and construction of water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure; site development and building construction; and equipment purchases tied to agricultural manufacturing projects. However, ineligible costs include shared-use/incubator facilities, duplicative expenses covered by other programs, and expenditures that do not benefit North Carolina farmers or agricultural manufacturing. Projects must align with the program’s mission to increase local processing capacity and deliver tangible economic benefits to farmers, growers, and communities. Applicants must provide a matching contribution, either five percent of the grant request or $50,000—whichever is less. In cases of fiscal hardship, a waiver may be requested. Funding decisions are made by the Commissioner of Agriculture based on recommendations from the NCDA&CS Division of Marketing, which evaluates proposals through site visits, due diligence, and a set of merit-based criteria. These include job creation, wage levels, private investment leverage, location in economically distressed areas, and demonstrated benefits to local farmers through increased market access and lower operational costs. Awards are capped at the lesser of $5 million, 50 percent of the project’s private investment, or the overall benefit to the state. NCAMPI follows a reimbursement model for disbursing grant funds. Grantees must submit payment applications along with invoices and proof of payment, although accommodations may be made for financial hardship. All grant agreements require a performance contract between the applicant and any involved business entities to ensure expected outcomes are achieved. The program operates under clear consistency and fairness principles, but allows for flexibility in extraordinary circumstances where state interests are better served. Applications for the 2026 cycle are currently open and must be submitted by April 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Proposals should be emailed to the NCDA&CS team at [email protected] along with the completed application form, budget worksheet, and all supporting documents. While the application process is straightforward, applicants are encouraged to contact the department in advance to discuss their project’s suitability and gather guidance.

Contact NCDA&CS before applying to ensure fit and receive guidance