Weston's Quality Harvesting and Processing Services was awarded a $200,000 Project Grant from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants – Supplemental Funding program. The grant will support Weston's expansion of its red meat and swine slaughterhouse and processing facility in West Gardiner, Maine by 828 square feet. This expansion will increase Weston's operating capacity by 75% to meet growing demand from small, independent livestock producers in the region. Improvements to the facility funded by the grant will include addition of a processing room and walk-in freezer, expansion of the slaughterhouse floor, and replacement of a deteriorating structural wall. The expanded facility capacity and single-purpose rooms created by these upgrades are intended to improve food safety, sanitation, workflow efficiency and productivity. The grant period runs from September 30, 2021 through September 29, 2024.