Ohio Capacity Building Grants

The Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program, initially established by House Bill 110 of the 134th Ohio General Assembly and further funded by House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly, is designed to support Ohio livestock and poultry producers. This program offers grants up to $500,000 to assist in the improvement and expansion of meat harvesting/processing services. These grants aim to enhance processing efficiency and support the expansion or construction of facilities on existing sites. Administered by the Ohio Department of Development, eligible businesses must be for-profit entities operating a Federal or State registered meat harvesting/processing facility in Ohio as of July 1, 2023. Funding can cover a range of costs associated with plant construction/expansion and the purchase of new/upgraded machinery or technology, excluding personnel costs, land purchases, and non-eligible expenses. A total of $14 million in funds is available for Fiscal Year 2024, with grants covering no more than 65% of project costs, requiring matching funds for the remainder. Grant renewed every year.

Working with Railroads comprise funding and project efforts that engage the Commision and staff in the business and support of an effective rail service as the key connection for Ohio companies to their suppliers and markets worldwide, Rail is often a requirement for business attraction and retention efforts. The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) promotes economic opportunities while supporting safety and quality of life concerns across Ohio's extensive rail infrastructure. At 5,187 miles, Ohio's network of active rail lines is the fourth most extensive in the nation. The high mileage of rail lines in Ohio reflects the close integration of rail with Ohio's economy. Ohio's businesses are committed to using Ohio's rail network. Ohio's largest railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, publish Public Projects Manuals to assist public entities in interacting with their organizations. Regional and short-line railroads often publish information on their websites to identify appropriate processes and contacts. If needed, ORDC is happy to assist Ohio communities with identifying the correct railroad contacts. The ORDC assists with railroad-roadway coordination by providing technical assistance to ODOT District project managers and area engineers, local municipalities, contractors, and others regarding railroad issues and requirements for public projects.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in eight Ohio counties for projects in arts, culture, education, environment, health, and human services.

The grant opportunity is open to organizations of all types across the USA, including nonprofits, startups, researchers, local governments, and small businesses. The grant applications are accepted bi-annually, with a spring cycle running from March 1 to May 1 and a fall cycle running from September 1 to November 1. To apply for the grant, applicants need to create an organizational and user account in the grants portal. The application can be saved as a draft and edited before submission. The grants portal also allows grantees to check the status of their grant, submit electronic grant reports if required, and access application history. All applicants are required to create an account using their email address as the username. They need to provide contact information and their organization's information, including the EIN/Tax ID number. Organizations should consolidate all applications into one user account for easy access to their full history of grants and requests. Applicants can manage their online accounts by editing contact information, beginning the application process, accessing drafts and submitted applications, and completing the reporting process for grant awards. If a grant writer works for multiple organizations, they should contact the Van Wert County Foundation to discuss their options. Before starting the application process, it is recommended to read the Grant FAQs provided on the website. To access the Grant Portal and start the application process, applicants can visit this link: [Grant Portal Link](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=VanwertGrants)